NSB Delivers $5,000 Donation to Alan Day Community Garden in Norway

NORWAY—The beautiful Alan Day Community Garden (ADCG) in Norway is open to anyone seeking meaningful connection and healthy, affordable food. Located just off Whitman Street, ADCG offers educational workshops, garden space, a community-supported agriculture program, a farmers’ market, food pantry, community meals and events, a youth leadership program, and after-school cooking classes. Its mission of “We improve our community’s health by providing opportunities to build relationships, learn, and grow food together” is carried out on a daily basis.

The work and impact of the nonprofit is something to see, which is an experience several NSB team members enjoyed in early November during a special visit (pictures below). In addition to receiving a tour, the NSB representatives were happy to deliver a $5,000 check. In the last five years, NSB has contributed over $50,000 to ADCG to support the organization’s free youth leadership program and capital projects to enhance the garden.

“It’s a transformative experience where teens work together to build resilience in themselves and in our community. In partnership with Roberts Farm Preserve, the participants learn all about organic gardening, strengthen leadership skills, learn to make healthy meals together, and have fun every day!” said Cyndy Tinsley of ADCG.

“NSB has been such a stalwart companion in our mission to improve our community’s health by providing opportunities to learn, build relationships, and grow food together,” said Katey Branch a workshop facilitator at ADCG. “The contributions of NSB are benefiting the youth who develop leadership skills, the local residents who learn from our workshops, and the thousands of people enjoying healthy meals and fresh produce.”

“ADCG helps kids like me experience all of the life-changing opportunities that the garden has to offer,” said one youth leader who participated in the program. “It taught me all about what a community truly means. Community isn’t just a bunch of people living together in one area. Community is land, the living organisms, the desire to help each other. Community is a strong connection between everyone and everything.”

“We’re so moved by all the outreach that is done by ADCG to make the community a better place, including to local youth. The collaborative leadership program helps young people learn, practice, and model good interpersonal communication and feedback skills,” said Darci Hamm, President of NSB. “These are crucial lessons that can last a lifetime and help them to be leaders for positive change in their community.”

ADCG is named for Alan Day, a community activist who lived for many years in the Oxford Hills area and made it known that the largely abandoned wet field and barn where ADCG now sits would make a great community garden. Day’s accurate vision was brought to fruition by his daughters and their mom. What began as a tribute in 2008 has become a center of education, community engagement, and joy. 

“Thanks to Norway Savings Bank, we continue to experience remarkable success and growth,” said Rocky Crockett, Executive Director of ADCG. “From the many youth who learn here to the thousands of healthy meals and pounds of fresh produce distributed, the garden has positively impacted countless lives and we are so grateful.”

There are many ways to support the ADCG, including volunteering for a day (www.alandaycommunitygarden.org/volunteer) and donating money or resources (www.alandaycommunitygarden.org/donations). To check out a schedule of upcoming workshops and events, visit www.alandaycommunitygarden.org/events.