Extension Service wants to offer gardening classes at Roberson Center

Local News

February 5, 2010

KIMBERLY BELLAMY

On Monday night the Edgecombe County Cooperative Extension will find out whether it will be able to provide horticulture educational programs at the E.L. Roberson Center this summer.

Extension Director Art Bradley will present a plan for the programs at the Tarboro Town Council meeting.

If the council gives him the go-ahead, the programs will begin in May and span until October. Agriculture-Horticulture and Forestry Extension Agent Bob Filbrun will lead the classes.

Filbrun said the content for the classes hasn’t been decided yet but will most likely be designed to fit the interest of the community, most specifically those who use the services at the Roberson Center.

The target group for the classes will be senior citizens.

“I’ll see what their gardening interest are and based on what their interests are as a group, I’ll develop classes,” Filbrun said.

The Roberson Center was chosen based on the facility having a greenhouse that can be utilized.

Filbrun said they are considering applying for grants to upgrade the greenhouse so the programming can be expanded even further. He said he’s looking forward to working with plants, growing seeds and beautification projects at the center.

“I have a real passion to try to develop programs for seniors, and it just seemed like the logical place to try,” he said.