Urban Agriculture Promoted by Master Gardeners Impresses Review Committee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Teaching residents how to grow their own vegetables, plant flowers to attract pollinators and design their yards to mitigate stormwater runoff are among the many ways University of Tennessee Extension supports rural and urban communities alike.
In Chattanooga, these efforts by UT Extension and Master Gardeners helped play a role in the community to be named the first in North America and only third worldwide designated as a National Park City. The other cities are London, England, and Adelaide, Australia.
The official recognition was announced in April by the National Park City Foundation. The foundation started in London to recognize cities that have a commitment to nature, culture and heritage. Cities applying for this designation submit a comprehensive package to highlight their worthiness of this title. Chattanooga presented a “journey book” that demonstrates ways the city and its residents are making life better for people, places and nature.
Surrounded by mountains and bisected by the Tennessee River, Chattanooga was recognized for its access to nature, culture of outdoor activity and recreation, environmental stewardship and education, inclusive and sustainable development, community and cultural enrichment, food and agriculture, and arts and creativity. Outside magazine has twice named Chattanooga “Best Town Ever.”
“Being involved with the National Park City movement is a natural fit for UT Extension and our Master Gardeners of Hamilton County. This is a way to connect our educational programs to a larger network of curious and passionate individuals in the community,” said Haley Treadway, agriculture and natural resources agent for UT Extension Hamilton County.
Representatives from the city’s parks and outdoors department, who lead the Chattanooga National Park City initiative, reached out last year to the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, which is a volunteer horticulture education program coordinated through UT Extension and was established in Hamilton County in 1994. UT Extension has an office in all 95 counties in Tennessee, and its agents and specialists deliver research-based information about agriculture and natural resources and family and consumer sciences and coordinate 4-H Youth Development activities.
Master Gardeners were honored to become a partner in the effort and encouraged members to sign the charter as 5,000 signatures were sought as part of the National Park City application submission. Several members serve on committees related to the program in their capacities as Master Gardeners and for personal interest, and Treadway is a co-lead of the food and agriculture committee.
One program of interest to homeowners and businesses who want to use sustainability practices in their lawns and outdoor spaces is Tennessee Smart Yards, a research-backed initiative developed by UTIA faculty. Master Gardeners help UT Extension promote and teach the principles of stewardship such as watering efficiently, providing for wildlife, planting the right plant in the right place and reducing stormwater runoff.
“Master Gardeners of Hamilton County are excited to support Chattanooga National Park City by providing education for Tennessee Smart Yards. Every little bit that each of us does contributes to a beautiful, vibrant and healthy place to live and play,” said Shirley Stewart, Master Gardeners president.
A final step to becoming a National Park City is the peer review process, in which the National Park City Foundation representatives from London and other parts of the world visited Chattanooga. One of their stops was the garden at Carver Community Center, which is organized by Master Gardener Carlton Mathis. Treadway, Mathis and other Master Gardeners explained the work of their organization in Hamilton County, UT Extension and the land-grant mission of the University of Tennessee.
“They were impressed by our work to provide education to residents across the community through hands-on gardening like this as well as our many classes and events available to the public,” Treadway said.
While the effort to be named a National Park City has ended, the work is just beginning to maintain that status. Treadway said her committee is working on connecting and growing community gardens, farmers markets, and urban agriculture in general.
For more information about the National Park City Foundation, visit nationalparkcity.org. For more information about Chattanooga National Park City, visit chattanooganationalparkcity.org.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.