Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Michael McIntyre

Urban Regional Extension Agent

Natural Resources/Home Horticulture

January 6, 2008

Church Garden and Your Health

Does your church have a garden? What would it take to create a church garden? What are the benefits of having a church garden? These are just a few eye opener questions before continuing.  The church can provide more than spiritual security and blessings.  In this article, we will look closely at the benefits of the church in relation to gardening. We will then look at the similarities of those benefits and form a strong relationship between the church and the garden and how both can be used to impact ones health.

A church and a garden bring people together to form the church congregation or a garden club, etc; people make friends, socialize and get a sense of belonging and togetherness whenever they work together regardless of the cause.  This socialization aspect is the first benefit of the church garden and can help reduce stress and increase healthy lifestyles.

The second and maybe the most important in reference to health is the ability of the church garden to be used as grounds for exercise and to produce healthy vegetables, both activities occurring during the process of gardening.  Most churches normally have dinner or brunch after service; most of the produce is purchased or catered.  The next time you are at a church dinner discuss with your neighbor the idea of starting a church garden. African Americans are at a higher risk of suffering from diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension than other ethnic groups. Two conditions predisposing minorities to these health ailments are lack of a healthy diet and exercise, which can be easily overcome through church gardening activity.

The third benefit of the church in relation to the garden is to be good stewards of the land. One of the best ways a church can be a good steward is to have a garden maintained in a sustainable manner by the church congregation.  In so doing, the church would lead by example promoting stewardship.

If you would like additional information or if you are interested in a church garden, horticultural therapy, or the body and soul program, please contact Michael McIntyre, Urban Extension Agent at 251-574-8445 or 259-1265.

Email address: mnm0001@auburn.edu

Phone: (251) 937-7176

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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