Partial Excerpt from Larry Schneider Facebook Post - August 25, 2025:
Like most gardens in the area, the Rodney Community Garden is the brainchild of Stephanie Skelding and other staff at the West Elgin Community Health Centre. The garden is supported by the Municipality of West Elgin and other area groups.
They are harveting a bumper crop of tomatoes, beans, and other vegetables, following hard upon the heels of a wonderful crop of small purple raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, kale, and lettuce. Today we brought home several meals worth of green beans, roma, cherry, and beefsteak tomatoes, a few beets, lots of herbs, mint, parsley, and basil.
There are several raised garden beds, planted and harvested by individuals and families as well as in-ground beds which are either for all who participate in the garden or the family who planted them. Scattered throughout are vaious seasonal flowers including my favourite, my mother's beloved gladiolas! A handsome fence was built around the in-ground beds this summer, by Dirt Devils, with funds acquired from the Elgin-St. Thomas Community Fund covering the cost of the fencing and gate supplies, while an Enbridge Fueling grant covered the Dirt Devils' fee for the build.
Thanks and congratulations once again to all the gardners digging in and watering, weeding and watching as the crops, and abundant stubborn weeds, took root and thrived! Thanks to Stephanie for continuing as our fearless leader and to all who tilled the soil and picked the plentiful produce! As always, more gardeners are invited to join us next year! Please keep Stephanie's name in mind. Surplus produce is always shared with local seniors and the food bank. This is indeed our COMMUNITY GARDEN!