Seed Money Overview
2013 to Date
The "Seed Money" Award to be given to an applicant(s) who submits a project that best exemplifies the mission of the Beautification Committee, "honoring the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains while seeking to reflect that beauty on the streets and in the lives of the citizens".
Focus of work must be gardening related, within Black Mountain, and adding a little something extra to our town. The money for this project is raised at the Black Mountain Garden Show and Sale. We have steadily increased the award amount each year and now the award will not exceed $1,000. On-going maintenance will not be a responsibility of the Beautification Committee. Members and relatives of the Beautification Committee are not eligible.
Award Recipients
- Swannanoa Valley Museum - garden in front for educational experience
- Julia Stout, a local artist - a garden at Town Hall (Julia is now deceased)
- Local book club - so they could plant milkweed
- 3rd Grade Elementary School Reading Class - created an outdoor reading area garden
- Primary School - landscaping around school
- Owen High School - environmental landscaping around campus
- Black Mountain Home for Children - drip irrigation system for vegetable gardens
- Own Middle School - plantings for an Appalachian Heritage Garden
- Black Mountain Elementary School - adding a recycled garden section in the current garden
- Adults and Students from Invisible Hands at Christ Community Church have plans to build a raised garden bed at Nana’s Place.
- Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center - built a geological garden
- The Curiosity Shoppe, upgrade garden
- First Christian Church, install pollinator garden
- Kate Shawgo, install community meadow garden
Process
The Seed Money Committee meets in January to start the process for the new year. The application process starts in January with information posted in The Black Mountain News, Facebook and this website. Applications are sent to everyone who had previously applied.
We allow about six weeks for applications to be received so that we can review and make recommendations before the entire committee. All applicants are contacted by March 31.
2019 Award Winners
The Curiosity Shoppe
The Curiosity Shoppe will be re-purposing the fountain in Cherry Street Square with a rock garden and varied plantings.
[Pictured L-R, Barb Callaway, Gail Bromer, Teri Hartbarger (with Erma) and Chelsea Morning, Anne Dale]
First Christian Church
The First Christian Church will be establishing a Pollinator Garden in the beautiful, natural area next to the creek on their property. First Christian Church is a Green Chalice Church and partners in the Creation Care Alliance.
[Pictured L-R, Brenda deLeat, Wayne Jakeway, Dotty Smith, Rev. Bill Moore, (Seed Money Comm members: Gail Bromer, Anne Dale,
Barb Callaway]
Kate Shawgo
A Community Meadow Garden, across from the Kerlee Baptist Church, will be coordinated by Kate Shawgo. The property for the garden is owned by the Capps family and it is their hope to restore the meadow to it’s original bounty as a community garden first established by Lee
Kerlee in 1946. Harold Eller then maintained the garden until it was sold to Richard and Julia Capps. The garden will be dedicated in memory of Dr. Julia Capps.
[Pictured L-R, Gail Bromer, Kenny Capps, Kate Shawgo, Anne Dale, Barb Callaway]
The Black Mountain Beautification Committee would like to thank all applicants for the 2019 Seed Money grants. The interest to help make Black Mountain even more beautiful and serve the community is inspiring! Lisa Wasoski, chairperson for the Seed Money sub-committee says,
“It was a very challenging decision as we try to review the applications with a mind as to how the available monies can best be used, and how they fit in to our mission statement. This year’s applicants had wonderful proposals and we encourage them, as well as others, to apply for our
awards in 2020.