January 2026 - Community Health Council of Rutherford County

Request for a 2026 “Growing Together” Grant

Name of your organization ____________________________________________________________________________

The organization must be associated with a non-profit or civic group – grants cannot be made to an individual.

Contact Name __________________________ Phone _____________ Email _________________________

In what area of the county is your proposed garden located? ________________________________________________

Do you have an approved place for your garden for 3 or more years? _________________________________________

Does that require a written lease or usage agreement? _____________________________________________________

If so, please attach documentation. If not, explain how you will ensure that your garden space will be available for 3 or more years.

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When could you begin construction? ___________________________________________________________________

Do you hope to start with a summer 2026 garden or a fall 2026 garden? _______________________________________

What do you hope to accomplish with your community garden? Why is this important to your group? _________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Name some of the materials (and costs) that you will need to purchase. Is protection from wildlife an issue? How will you address this? _________________________________________________________________________________________

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How will you find people to participate in the garden? Name other key people involved in the project.

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What is the total estimated cost? What portion of the cost will you ask the Community Health Council to contribute?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Will you involve children in the work in your garden? Why or why not? _________________________________________________________________________________________

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If there is overage in your garden, do you have a plan for using the extra food? May we connect you with a local food pantry? _________________________________________________________________________________________

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What types of gardening training or consulting do you think would benefit you most? _________________________________________________________________________________________

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Other comments or suggestions? _________________________________________________________________________________________

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Please mail this completed application to: Community Health Council of Rutherford County at PO Box 352 Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or email the application to HealthCouncilRC@gmail.com

Applicants from across the county will be chosen to receive grant awards for a maximum of $1500 to start a new garden. Expansion grants will be considered for $1000 or less.

We realize that you may have never requested a grant. Please do not hesitate to call with questions or requests. We will help you by phone or in person to complete the application or to build partnerships with others who are interested.

Training is available for the leadership of your Community Garden by experts in growing food. We will ask to place a sign by your garden designing you as a “Growing Together” community garden sponsored by the Health Council.

The deadline for grant applications is 5:00 on March 20. Contestants will be notified by April 1.

Please call Jill Miracle at 828-202-4630 with questions about the “Growing Together” grants.

Click here to download press release

January 29, 2026

For Immediate Release

RE: Growing Together Community Garden Grants

“Growing Together” Community Garden Grants Available

The Community Health Council of Rutherford County is offering grants to non-profit organizations who plan to start or expand a community garden during 2026. The Council’s hope is to help organizations throughout the county begin or expand a garden where neighbors will work together to construct the garden and grow and harvest food for their own consumption and share extra produce with those in need. Applications are welcomed from non-profit or municipal organizations, clubs, schools, or churches. Each group will be expected to commit at least three years to the project.

The Rutherford County Food Council will review applications and choose up to two Growing Together Awards representing different areas in the county. Each winner will receive $1,500 for items such as supplies, plants, seeds, water sources, fencing, or tools needed to start the garden. Expansion grants of $1,000 are available for existing community gardens. Typical progress reports will be required by the grantees.

Education about all aspects of gardening is available through the local extension office. As desired, the Rutherford County Food Council will connect gardeners to local food pantries who welcome donated fresh produce.

In a recent community health assessment, less than 7% of Rutherford County respondents reported that they consume the recommended daily servings of fresh foods. Unhealthy eating leads to poor health, including obesity, cancer, and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Jill Miracle, Executive Director of the Community Health Council, explains the Growing Together project, which began in 2018. “We support community gardeners because the consumption of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables leads to improved health in people of all ages. Providing grant funding for communities to experiment with growing and preparing different kinds of fresh foods is one strategy toward healthier eating.”

Many of the county’s rural communities are cited as food deserts, meaning that affordable, healthy food is limited or non-existent because grocery stores are too far away. Over 29% of residents in Rutherford County live more than 10 miles away from a full-service grocery store. Growing food close to home is a healthy, economical way to help local families improve their nutritional intake and to save money during times of high food prices.

The grant application can be found in the NEWS section on the Community Health Council of Rutherford County website, http://www.healthcouncilrc.com and from posts on their Facebook page. The deadline for grant applications is 5:00 on March 20, 2026.

Contestants will be notified about awards by April 1. For more information about the opportunity or to request a printed copy of the grant application, please call 828-202-4630 or email HealthCouncilRC@gmail.com.

The Community Health Council of Rutherford County is grateful to RHI Legacy Foundation for providing funding for the Growing Together project and to Rutherford County Food Council for their support in the grants process. All organizations have Facebook pages if you would like to learn more about their work.

Month: January 2026

Garden Grant Application 2026

Growing Together Community Garden Grants Press Release 2026

Places to Walk