Community Gardens (such as the one pictured above) are any gardens that are tended and maintained by groups of people. They serve various purposes and can contain fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, or herbs. They are a wonderful source of nutrition as well as education, exercise, mental health, and potentially, income.

The Currituck Extension Community Garden was established through a grant from the NC Department of Juvenile Justice and Crime Prevention and Nourishing North Carolina. The original intent of this demonstration site was to provide an educational service opportunity for youth with mandated community service. These youth built, planted and currently maintain the garden. It provides an outlet for youth to serve as well as learn life and job skills in a nurturing, supervised environment while also giving back to the community through donated produce.

In addition to its original purpose, this garden is utilized for agricultural research, gardening demonstrations, to supply produce for cooking classes, and club activities. It enhances learning in plant and environmental science, soils and entomology, and foods and nutrition for Extension clients of all ages.

While much of what is grown on this site is utilized in teaching, excess produce is weighed and donated to senior citizens, school foods classes, food banks, and the general public.