Scouts Complete Eagle Service Project At Cherokee Veterans Park

CANTON, GA — Boy Scout Noah Boynton recently achieved Eagle Scout rank after completing a service project at Cherokee Veterans Park.

On Oct. 30, Boynton, along with a team of about 40 Scouts and their troop leaders, worked to develop the Cherokee County University of Georgia Extension Office’s Backyard Agriculture Education Station located at the county park on Highway 20. The work entailed spreading more than 50 yards of wood chips over a bank before planting the nearly 400 rooted wildflower plugs.

Volunteers from the UGA Extension Office and the Cherokee County Master Gardeners were also on hand to assist and demonstrate proper planting.

“Through this journey, I learned a great deal about many of the North Georgia native plant varieties, the best way to plant them, and the critical importance of planning,” Boynton said. “I would like to thank Josh Fuder from the Cherokee County UGA Extension Office for his help in identifying the project and helping me see it through to its successful completion.”

The project received roughly $1,400 from the county's Tree Replacement Fund, which are funds that individuals developing sites contribute to in lieu of onsite tree planting. Funds from the program are used to plant trees and other vegetation on county property and public spaces.

The education station, which is currently being developed, will serve as an outdoor learning space where citizens can attend classes and learn horticultural techniques from UGA Extension agents and trained volunteers. Classes and workshops are set to begin in spring 2022 and will include home vegetable gardening, disease and insect management, tree planting, pruning and home orchard management.

The station is privately funded, and donations are currently being accepted for the purchase of a greenhouse to allow for expanded teaching and fundraising opportunities. To learn more about the education station or to donate, people can contact the Cherokee County UGA Extension Office at 770-721-7803.