(Savannah, GA) - It was a cloudless sunny day, perfect in every way for the Gate Opening of Skidaway Farms on Saturday, February 12. Over six years in the making, the four acre plot of land off McWhorter Road, formerly a sod farm owned by The Landings Club, was opened to a crowd of more than 300. The energy and enthusiasm of the group was palpable as the celebration for the community garden began.

Festivities included music by Savannah Steve, refreshments by Cha Bella, and hayrides provided by Skidaway Island State Park. A huge array of plants and vegetables from Hester and Zipperer, Old Savannah Gardens, and Zipperer Land Management were on hand for sale. Eager gardeners, more than 100 strong, pulled their plot numbers and entered the garden to find their 10 x 20 plots as the gates swung open. Some talked about their visions; some greeted neighboring gardeners; and some pulled out tools and set to work.

Opening ceremonies honored six “founders” of the garden: Jerriann Kirkwood, president of Skidaway Audubon; Shari Halderman General Manager of The Landings Association; Mike Perham Head of Golf Maintenance at The Landings Club, who steered the lease agreement through approvals and lawyers; Paul Kurilla, Director, Public Works, who gave more than 500 volunteer hours and untold expertise to build the garden; Chris Johns of Valley Crest who gave time and equipment and expertise including designing and installing o\the irrigation system; and Blake Caldwell, head of the Development Committee, charged with raising the funds to launch, as well as organizing most phases of the planning and construction.

There is much to come (the beekeeper expects to arrive in March) and www.skidawayfarms.com is a source for information. For those who want to be in the know, but not “own” a plot, you can become a Friend of the Farm and participate in education programs and receive the monthly newsletter.

About The Landings on Skidaway Island
The Landings on Skidaway Island is located less than ten miles south of historic Savannah, GA. Six championship golf courses frame the center of this premier gated residential community set on a 6,500-acre island. Residents enjoy four elegant dining clubhouses, miles of walking and biking trails, 34 tennis courts, two deep-water marinas and a variety of other coastal amenities. Named “one of the nation’s best residential communities” by the Urban Land Institute, homes at The Landings range from $250,000 to $1 million plus; home sites from $120,000. More information is available by calling (800) 841-7011 or by visiting The Landings Company website at: www.thelandings.com.

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