It's time to sign up for the 2012 community garden season! Join us as we seek to grow healthy fruits and vegetables along with friendships and a greater sense of community. Farm and garden Open Hours will begin Saturday, March 3 at 9 am, weather permitting.

Stop by the Morris Center lobby at main camp today for a brochure or download your own copy here! Memberships can be mailed to 4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Rd, Efland, NC 27243, attn:Chris or brought to the farm during Open Hours. Please make checks payable to Camp Chestnut Ridge.

Come grow with us!

Thoughts from Megan...

Every morning one of the first things I see is the Camper Garden. My eyes are often drawn to the compost bin, where in bright colors these words are painted: “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” A verse from the Psalms that I am trying to take to heart. I am learning to appreciate God’s creatures, seeing them through new eyes as I work with the earth. Thanking spiders instead of crushing them. Getting excited about worms instead of squealing in horror. Yes, the Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.

But that rooster? I don’t think God had gathered eggs yet when he looked at all creation and said that it was good. I will admit it, free from the euphemistic “strongly dislike”, I hate that rooster. On my first day at the farm nearly three weeks ago, I was warned that he wasn’t so friendly, so I should bring a big stick with me whenever I enter the pen. The big stick seemed to be working just fine for awhile. That is until that one fateful day. I always keep an eye on the rooster, acutely aware of his distance from me. That particular day, he was crowing more than usual, so I was even more careful to watch him. I headed to fill the feeder, looking over my shoulder to see the rooster at the other end of the pen. Relieved, I continued pouring the feed.  When I finished, I gathered the eggs and took my usual exit, a step over the nearest fencing. My back turned away from the chickens, eggs and stick in hand, I walked at a leisurely pace. The rooster, on the other hand, was not. He was running, more like charging at me, which I didn’t notice until he was about three feet away. When I turned at the last minute and caught him sneaking up, I screamed at him, poking my stick forward “Go away, I’m not afraid of you.” Roosters have built in lie detectors. He continued onward. At this point I basically leaped over the fencing, getting my foot caught. Maybe the rooster had mercy on me; maybe he just realized I had given him his lunch. Whatever the reason, he decided he was no longer interested in me. I was safe. That sneaky rooster, I thought to myself. Ok, maybe I cried a little.

But other things have been sneaking up on me too. Things I don’t want to scare off with a stick. I turn around and the asparagus has grown four inches, poking up valiantly from the ground. Overnight a tree bursts into bloom and I decide that pink is my new favorite color. Two lambs are born, skipping around as they discover what their legs can do. A new community embraces me with ease. I receive these surprises with gratitude and delight. I have a steady hopefulness about being at Chestnut Ridge. I think my time serving as an intern and entering this community will bring much joy and growth, and I hope not just for me. Occasionally, I may get caught in a fence, experiencing loneliness, uncertainty, or fatigue. I may have moments of fragility, when my strength and confidence seem to fail me. I hope to remind myself to be gentle, to get up, and even let myself cry if I need to. Perhaps I will find that I have no enemies here, not even the rooster. That even he is my teacher, pressing me on to be courageous and trusting. The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. We belong to a loving presence that is responsible for all that is good. I have a feeling the rooster is included.

*Megan is serving 10 months as the Community Farm intern at Chestnut Ridge - living, working, and worshipping in intentional Christian community.*

Under a blanket of cold and snow, the community garden at Chestnut Ridge has been sleeping. But, warmer days are ahead, when brown and white will turn green and colorful! In a few short weeks, the community garden will open again to welcome people of all ages to work side by side to prepare her soil, plant her rows, and enjoy the bounty of her harvest.

The community garden season will begin on Saturday, March 3 at 9 am, weather permitting. All are welcome to join, regardless of garden experience. All tools, materials, and instructions are provided.

Membership is $10 per household with a committment to spend at least 2 hours per month helping in the garden. Members are allowed to share in the harvest on the days they come to help in the garden. All other produce will go to feed hungry campers and retreat guests at Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center, or to needy families in the community.

Garden open hours for the spring will be Tuesdays from 3-5 PM, Thursdays from 9-noon, and Saturdays from 9-noon. Please contact Chris at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 919-414-3273 for more information.

We've let them come in! The Community Farm is now home to 4 weanling pigs and a new sow. These little guys and girls love to run around in their new field and root for good things to eat. Pigs are VIA's (very important animals) at Chestnut Ridge. Not only do they provide us with food, they also eat our food scraps from the dining service at the camp and retreat center. That's reusing and recycling at it's best!

Come out to the Community Farm to enjoy the antics of our newest animals!

You're invited to join us! This year The Community Farm at Chestnut Ridge will begin accepting a limited number of memberships to the Community Garden. Our hope is to build a committed group of folks who seek to grow good food and good relationships in the garden.

Membership is $10 per family per year and a commitment to work in the garden at least 2 hours per month. When members come to work, they will take home a share of that day's harvest for their table. Anyone is welcome to join - no green thumb required. Tools, materials, and instructions will be provided.

Community Garden work times will be Tuesdays 3-5 PM (Feb-May and Sept-Nov) or 6:30-8:30 PM (June-Aug), Thursdays 9AM-noon, and Saturdays 9AM -noon.

Our first official work time for 2010 will be Saturday, Feb 27 from 9AM - noon. To become a member, print this brochure and fill out the membership form or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Completed membership forms can be brought to the community garden or to the office at Camp Chestnut Ridge.

Volunteers are always welcome at The Community Farm. You do not have to be a community garden member in order to volunteer.

We look forward to growing good things in the garden with you!

The Community Farm is already home to many beautiful trees that provide shade on hot summer days, food and shelter for animals and birds, and leaves to nourish the forest soil. This spring we will be planting more trees - fruit trees! It is our hope that they will grow and prosper, providing food for this community, and eventually, a sheltering environment for our free range chickens too.

The basis for our orchard is currently "heeled in" in a temporary home until it is time for spring planting. There are two cherry trees (Stella and Bing); three apple varieties (Empire, Honey Crisp, and Liberty); two plum trees (Laroda and Burgundy); two peach trees (Loring and O-Henry); and an apricot tree (Haricot). The Community Farm at Chestnut Ridge is already home to two Granny Smith apple trees and to an Asian Pear tree and a Bosc Pear tree. Fruit galore!

Please join us on February 27 from 9 am - noon to plant the orchard and to begin planting in the community garden as well. All are welcome - tools provided.