Volunteer Spotlight: Beth France

Cultivating Community Engagement at Columbus Botanical Garden 

At Columbus Botanical Garden, our volunteer program thrives because of individuals like Beth France—whose passion, knowledge, and dedication exemplify what it means to cultivate community engagement. Since spring of 2023, Beth and her husband have been integral members of our Terrace Vegetable Garden team, volunteering their time and expertise to support our mission of growing fresh, nutritious produce for the community. 

Beth brings a lifetime of experience to the garden. Before retirement, she and her husband were market gardeners in Missouri, running a small business focused on growing shelf-ready plants for mom-and-pop nurseries. That deep agricultural background naturally translated into her volunteer role at the Garden, especially in our vegetable and herb beds. Herbs, she says, are her “first and true love,” and the Terrace Garden gave her the perfect place to grow what she knows best while continuing to learn and give back. 

Volunteering in the Terrace Vegetable Garden isn’t just about growing food—it’s about growing connections. Beth works closely with other volunteers, like Carolyn, to start vegetables and herbs from seed, nurture them, and harvest the produce for donation to local hunger relief efforts through Feeding the Valley. Over time, they’ve expanded the variety of crops they grow to better serve the nutritional needs of the community. From the thrill of seeing the first sprout emerge to the satisfaction of delivering full baskets of vegetables, Beth finds purpose in every stage of the process. 

“The miracle of when seeds germinate—that's amazing,” she says. “Then to see those little baby vegetables become something you can give to someone in need—it’s hard work, but so worth it.” 

Beth’s efforts directly support our outreach to food-insecure families across the Chattahoochee Valley. Her understanding of growing for yield, bulk, and nutritional value has made her a quiet force behind our food access initiatives. Her perspective has shifted since her days in the commercial gardening world; now, she’s become deeply aware of the role that community gardens play in addressing food deserts and promoting sustainability. “We never used to think much about giving away food,” Beth reflects. “But being here has made me see the importance of growing with the intention to share.” 

Beyond the soil and crops, Beth is also a powerful connector of people. She helps educate garden visitors, explaining what’s growing, who it’s for, and why it matters. Whether it's introducing children to the smell of fresh herbs or helping someone identify a vegetable they’ve never seen before, Beth sees every interaction as an opportunity to plant seeds of awareness and curiosity. “You never know—maybe one of those kids will come back as a volunteer someday.”

Beth’s story is a shining example of what it means to cultivate community engagement. Through her hands-on contributions, she has helped the Terrace Vegetable Garden grow not just in harvests, but in purpose. Her presence in the garden is a reminder that sustainability and service go hand in hand—and that with care, commitment, and a little compost, we can all help something meaningful grow. 

If you're looking for a way to give back, build new friendships, and make a tangible impact, consider joining volunteers like Beth. Together, we're not just gardening—we're growing a stronger, more connected community.

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