In September, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden received a $50,000 grant toward their Heritage Garden Revitalization Project, awarded by the 2024 Kubota Hometown Proud Grant Program with support from Linder Turf and Tractor. The $50,000 will aid several aspects of revitalization, including the Heritage Garden’s ultimate purpose of connecting the past, present, and future of horticulture and agriculture in North Carolina.
According to information published by CFBG, the Heritage Garden Complex is a 1900’s era interpretive experience including a Farmhouse, General Store, Corn Crib, Tobacco Barn, and garden spaces:
• The Carter – McCauley – Snider Farmhouse: Built by Alexander Carter in 1886, this farmhouse was initially located near the entrance to Baywood in Eastover and was relocated to CFBG in 1996. It boasts original mantels, woodwork, ceilings, floors, lattices, and some original doors.
• General Store: Originally located on the same site as the Carter—McCauley—Snider Farmhouse and operated by the Carters, the general store now sells farm implements and hosts educational programs.
• Corn Crib: Originally located on the same site as the Carter—McCauley—Snider Farmhouse, the corncrib serves as a storage space and antique machinery shelter.
• Tobacco Barn: Built in the 1930s and donated by Mrs. Lill Geddie, this building was added to the Heritage Garden in 2000. It is considered a rare remaining element of pre-industrial tobacco farming.
• Garden Spaces: Completed in 1999 and maintained by the Master Gardeners of Cumberland County; the garden spaces include a vegetable garden used for therapeutic gardening programs.
Sheila Hanrick, Director of Marketing, Programs and Visitor Experience at CFBG says they’re deeply aware of the need to preserve and teach North Carolina history, especially Eastern farm life, to students in surrounding counties. They feel the Heritage Garden is uniquely positioned as an educational resource. As an approved NC field trip facility with written programming that meets the NC State curriculum standards, they hope to foster a “sense of connection, education and just an appreciation of the history of the North Carolina farmer,” according to Hanrick.
Hanrick said the Heritage Garden has been maintained by CFBG volunteers over the years, with many volunteers having a military background, making the Kubota “Hometown Proud” Grant Program a perfect fit.
“That was sort of a natural connection that we made with some of our volunteers and with what Fayetteville in Cumberland County is known for,” Hanrick explained.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden originally heard of the grant program from a cohort at another local nonprofit, who forwarded the
information to Harnick.
“Nonprofits in our area are very much known for partnering with each other and looking out for each other,” Harnick said.
After reviewing the grant application and discussing the opportunity, Harnick said they decided to move forward.
Local Kubota dealer Linder Turf and Tractor agreed to support CFBG in the application process by being interviewed. Linder Turf and Tractor has an ongoing relationship with CFBG providing equipment and repairs, and while they had no say in the outcome, their contribution to the grant application was an essential part of the process.
“It’s a really neat circle of how we all helped each other,” Hanrick commented.
After an initial phase where twenty applicants received $10,000 each, community members voted on which ten would ultimately receive a $50,000 grant.
“It was up to us to rally the community to vote,” Hanrick explained, “praise the Lord, they did!”
Chris Hoffman, CEO at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, says they’ve already received several proposals for portions of the revitalization project requiring contracting with local businesses.
According to information provided by CFBG, the current Heritage Garden Revitalization Project has three phases:
Phase One included analyzing conditions, programming, and defining project phases. This phase has seen the successful and ongoing renovation of pathway drainage and surface materials, irrigation systems, ongoing weed remediation, soil improvements, and expanded garden plots.
Phase Two includes replacing a non-compliant pedestrian bridge to fit ADA standards, installing educational signage, installing raised “seat” beds that allow children, guests with motility issues, and volunteers to sit on the edge of raised garden beds as they work, installing arbor structures, and reconfiguring lighting and irrigation systems.
Phase Three depends on funding and includes the completion of phase 2 elements plus the conversion of a Farmhouse room into a functional workspace for staff/volunteer use and water service reconnection to sink and restroom.
Hoffman said that eventually, funds could additionally support programs that take place in the garden. CFBG hopes to rebuild relationships with military volunteers, retirees, and therapeutic court programs who could use the Heritage Garden complex as a space to learn about gardening, growing food, and well-being.
Though the funds may not be sufficient to complete all phases of the project, Hoffman described the grant as an “incredibly important part of helping us get the ball rolling” in their efforts to preserve the Cape Fear area’s agricultural history.
He described CFBG’s response as “humbly grateful,” adding that he was “just so thankful that they saw us as a worthy candidate.”

(Photo: The Cape Fear Botanical Garden's Farmhouse, built in 1886, was relocated to the Garden in 1996. It has original pieces all throughout the structure, and is part of the Heritage Garden Complex.)