The garden has been renamed the Jim Graham Community Garden
Heather Bell
RADFORD – For more than a decade, Jim Graham has nurtured and expanded the Radford Community Garden, offering a place for gardeners not only to grow food but also grow friendships and fellowship.
Radford City Council recently honored Graham for coming up with the idea for the garden in 2010 and overseeing its development ever since.
“The Radford Community Garden began in 2010 at what is now the New River sports complex with 10 plots, and initially there were a limited number of 20-by-20 [foot]plots, but over time the garden has grown to have over 40 plots ranging in sizes,” the council resolution reads. “The garden moved locations to Pulaski Avenue in 2013 and is now contained in a fenced in area with a combination lock given to all gardeners.”
“Jim Graham has served as the Community Garden Coordinator for years and invested time and effort to ensuring the success of the Radford Community Garden; and the atmosphere and success of the Community Garden can be attributed to Jim,” it continues. “The garden has been a great place to meet like-minded citizens, make new friends, raise healthy vegetables and be outside along the New River. The Community Garden is truly a community where gardeners share a wheelbarrow and hand plow, as well as tips and tricks of the trade when gardening, and Jim Graham has been the face of the Radford Community Garden, promoting and growing the garden over the last 13 years.”
In an interview in 2019 celebrating the tenth growing season of the garden, Graham talked about what the garden has meant to him.
“I have a great feeling of accomplishment that I was able to organize and create a place for citizens to enjoy healthy outdoor exercise and at the same time raise healthy organic food,” said Graham. “I have been amazed at the interest in the garden by the citizens. It has been a labor of love, as I’ve been a gardener since I was a teenager.”
The Radford City Council resolution encourages the community to recognize Graham’s accomplishments and names the garden in his honor.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Radford, Virginia that Jim Graham is recognized for his role in the success and growth of the Radford Community Garden and hereby names the Radford Community Garden the Jim Graham Community Garden and encourages all citizens to support and recognize the contributions Jim Graham has provided to the City and its gardeners,” it reads.
