To the Editor:

Sadly, Fairfield County is in the midst of losing a valuable community research resource with the “wrongful” eviction pending at the Bethel Agricultural Extension Center.

I have been fortunate enough personally to have participated in and graduated from the University of Connecticut Master Gardening program which, for a number of years has been run from there. In addition, I have worked in their community garden, which has been a long-standing, beautiful, and thriving vegetable and flower garden available for all members of the community to see and enjoy.

Perhaps most importantly, the center provides a treasured and valuable educational resource for all gardeners and homeowners by being able to offer and research solutions to typical garden problems that the homeowner and gardener encounters, which over the years has helped thousands to learn about & improve the health & growth of their gardens.

A greater sense of community is not a luxury — it is a necessity.

Can we help to avoid the rug being pulled from us and regain a sense of balance, integrity, and community at a time when those values are crucial?

I for one certainly hope so.

Martin Schneider

Sandy Hook