A chance meeting between Mississippi State University Extension Agent Anna McCain and Shape Up Mississippi President Linda Fondren has resulted in an obvious partnership.

Fondren said she met McCain at a Rotary Club meeting when she came to talk about programs at the Warren County Extension Service including the Master Gardener’s program and assistance with home gardening.

Fondren said she immediately thought she’d like to get McCain involved with the Vicksburg Community Garden, already a joint effort between Alcorn State University, the City of Vicksburg, Warren County and Shape Up Mississippi, and McCain agreed to serve as a horticultural resource for the community garden.

“We’re very excited,” Fondren said. “It is unbelievably rewarding to have Anna here working with us.”

McCain said part of her work will be to keep a demonstration garden for teaching the community how to grow a sustainable garden.

“Our goal is to maximize all available resources, talents and assets within our community,” McCain said. “Through this cooperation and collaboration, we will be able to reach a larger number of people, thus having a greater impact.”

McCain said she will be available to provide answers for anyone who has a home garden or keeps a plot at the community garden, adding the mission of MSU Extension Service is to provide research-based information and technology transfer to all residents of Warren County.

“We want everyone who is gardening to know the Extension Service is here to answer any questions regarding home horticulture, agriculture and natural resources,” McCain said. “I’ll be here if people have questions about what to plant, what to spray or how to start an integrated pest-management system.”

McCain said she’s excited to be a part of Vicksburg Community Garden.

“We have a lot of great assets in our community and for us all to be able to come together to be able to have a greater impact, I think that’s what the partnership is all about, to be sure we’re utilizing all of our resources,” she said. “They’ve done a great job getting this started and keeping the momentum going, and it’s really a great program.”

McCain will give a free workshop discussing the importance of planning and preparing your beds in order to have a lush, beautiful garden Monday, March 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Warren County Extension Office, 1100-C Grove St. For more information, call 601-636-5442.

Currently, the Vicksburg Community Garden has more than 40 fruit trees, 12 raised beds and six traditional plots on six acres. Plans for a paved walking trail and exercise equipment are in development with the city.

Traditional and raised bed plots are available for the public to grow their own foods. For more information, contact garden coordinator Karen Frederick at 601-618-0429.