The Ocean County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD) participated in the 2025 Fall Festival at the Common Grounds Community Garden on Sunday, October 26, joining families and community members for an afternoon of seasonal fun and environmental education.
Education and Outreach Coordinator Becky Laboy represented OCSCD at the event, engaging children and families with a hands-on Soil Profile activity. Through this interactive demonstration, participants explored the colorful layers—or horizons—found in soil and learned how healthy soil supports plants, pollinators, and thriving gardens. The activity offered a simple but memorable way for young learners to connect with the ground beneath their feet and understand why soil is such an essential natural resource.
The Fall Festival created a warm, welcoming community atmosphere, with families enjoying crafts, activities for children, and opportunities to connect with local organizations. Events like this highlight the important role that community spaces play in bringing neighbors together while also providing opportunities for learning and stewardship.
OCSCD’s participation also reflects its ongoing partnership with the Common Grounds Community Garden. The District previously worked alongside community members to help establish the garden located at the apartment complex, supporting soil preparation and planting efforts that made the space possible. Today, the garden continues to serve as both a gathering place and an outdoor classroom where residents can learn about gardening, pollinator habitat, and the importance of healthy soil.
By participating in community events like the Fall Festival, OCSCD continues its mission of sharing practical environmental knowledge with the public. Engaging families through hands-on activities helps build awareness of soil health and encourages the next generation to care for the natural resources that sustain our communities.
OCSCD looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Common Grounds Community Garden and strengthening connections with the surrounding community through future programs, educational activities, and shared stewardship of this special green space.