1 of 5

Photos by Ellen Brabo

Photos by Ellen Brabo

Photos by Ellen Brabo

Photos by Ellen Brabo

Photos by Ellen Brabo

Amidst the challenges of food insecurity in rural Beaufort County, a growing initiative is sowing seeds of change—both literally and figuratively. With support from Public Health AmeriCorps, the Pamlico Rose Institute (PRI) Health Corps has developed four wellness gardens across the county, including its newest and largest site in Aurora.

The Aurora Community Garden, launched in April 2024, spans 1.5 acres on the grounds of S.W. Snowden Elementary School. It serves as a multi-functional wellness hub designed to provide fresh produce, educational programming and community engagement opportunities.

“This is more than just a garden,” said Dr. Robert Sands, co-founder of PRI and director of the AmeriCorps program. “We’ve taken what we’ve learned from our other sites and applied it here to create a true wellness space.”

The garden features raised beds, a small orchard, solar panels, rain barrels, a woodworking space and a pavilion that doubles as a teaching center. A walking path encircling the garden takes 12 laps to complete a mile. The space is maintained by AmeriCorps members and local volunteers, ensuring the garden remains a sustainable community resource.

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in Beaufort County, where 1 in 9 people struggle with hunger. The PRI Health Corps initiative seeks to bridge that gap by not only growing and distributing fresh produce but also providing educational resources on gardening and nutrition.

“The possibilities of this space are only limited by your imagination,” noted Sands. “It’s a place where we can promote sustainable wellness—physically, emotionally, financially and socially.”

Currently, AmeriCorps staff and volunteers host Introduction to Gardening classes for third and eighth-grade students at S.W. Snowden Elementary. Plans are also underway to introduce meditation, yoga, and arts and crafts workshops to address the eight dimensions of wellness—physical, emotional, financial, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupational and environmental.

While AmeriCorps members play a key role in maintaining the gardens, long-term sustainability relies on community involvement. Local leaders like Joy Dunn, president of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, emphasize the importance of engaging residents.

“We hope this brings people together,” said Dunn. “Families, neighborhoods and different groups can come here to work together, learn and connect. That’s how we build a stronger community.”

Dunn credited Sands and his team for their efficiency in transforming the once-undeveloped site into a flourishing community space in less than a year.

“When we first started, all we had were wooden boxes full of weeds and fire ants,” recalled Dunn. “Now, we have a thriving garden and a gathering place for the entire community.”

Beyond Aurora, PRI Health Corps has already made a tangible impact:

• 30 AmeriCorps members have served in the program’s first two years, 95% from the local community.
• 8 civic and community organizations are actively engaged, including Beaufort County Community College’s Sundial Gardens.
• 1,800 pounds of produce were grown and distributed in the 2024 season alone.
• 300 pounds of vegetables and books were shared with Chocowinity students through the Read and Feed summer program.

The Aurora site is still growing. Plans for 2025 include adding a greenhouse, expanding garden beds, and developing an outdoor kitchen to host cooking classes. PRI is also working to secure an additional three years of funding to sustain and expand its initiatives.

“Our biggest need now is getting younger people involved,” emphasized Dunn. “This is an opportunity to teach them skills that will last a lifetime. . .We need to learn how to take care of ourselves.”

Residents interested in volunteering, learning about gardening or using the space are encouraged to visit the Aurora Community Garden, where AmeriCorps staff and volunteers are on-site during the day to assist and answer questions.

“This is a valuable spot,” said Dunn. “If you want to grow your own food and know exactly what’s in it, this is the place to start.”

For more information on the PRI Health Corps initiative, visit www.pamlicorose.org.

More News

Washingtonian David Thomas Tayloe signed historic emancipation document

Mobile center helps ex-prisoners start new life after incarceration

BCSO identifies woman in death investigation

Statewide manhunt continues for Craven County inmate who escaped through ventilation system