There’s something special growing behind the Floyd County Library — and it’s about much more than vegetables.

Now in its third growing season, the Community Garden has become a place where young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities come together to learn, laugh, and grow alongside one another. What started as a small garden space has blossomed into meaningful community filled with teamwork, discovery, and joy.

This year’s garden was planned around one favorite food shared by the group: salsa! Tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs fill the beds, along with squash and a few other seasonal plants. From planting seeds to watering and harvesting, everyone plays a role in caring for the garden and watching it thrive.

Of course, gardening comes with a little trial and error. There have been moments when plants were accidentally mistaken for weeds and pulled up — only to be replanted moments later. Even participants who usually avoid getting dirty have found themselves with soil on their hands and smiles on their faces. That’s part of the beauty of the garden: it invites everyone to participate in their own way.

One of the newest additions this season is a rain gauge tucked into one of the garden beds. It has quickly become a favorite feature, giving everyone a chance to crouch down together and check how much rain has fallen after a storm. Simple moments like these create opportunities for curiosity, learning, and connection.

And when the harvest becomes bigger than the group can use, the extra produce is shared with library patrons — extending the impact of the garden into the wider community.

The rows may not always be perfectly straight, but the joy found in this garden certainly is. It’s a beautiful reminder that growth doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful.

If you’re ever in Prestonsburg on a Saturday morning, take a drive behind the library and see what inclusive gardening can look like. You’ll likely find laughter, muddy hands, growing vegetables, and a community blooming together.