What now?

It’s been a hard several months for our town, our neighbors, and for us as a garden club. When the Pigeon River flooded during Hurricane Helene, it didn’t just take away the orchard and garden we poured two years of love into—it took away places of peace, of learning, of connection. Like so many of you, we’ve been picking up the pieces in our own lives, and in the process, we’ve been quiet here. But please know this: we are still here.

Much like the plants that weathered the storm and are just beginning to push new green through the soil, we are coming back too. Rebuilding won’t be easy, but gardens teach us patience, resilience, and hope—and those are the very things that will guide us forward.

Our mission remains the same: to create beauty, to educate, to support food security, and to build a place where people can gather, heal, and grow. We know many in our community lost far more than a garden, and our hearts are with you. We also know that in times like these, coming together matters more than ever.

In the months ahead, we’ll be sharing ways to get involved—whether that’s lending a hand in rebuilding, sharing knowledge, or simply coming together to dream about what’s next. If you’ve been wondering whether we’re still here, the answer is yes. And we can’t wait to grow with you again. Thank you to all of our members that helped with this orchard and many other gardens in town that were washed away and to those of you that helped with the cleanup in the weeks following. We are always looking for members to join so please reach out if you’d like to become a member.

—Allison Sullivan, VP

Helene 2024