Rotary Pavilion at Rural Resources

Rural Resources puts spotlight on 

builders, donors of new Rotary Pavilion

BY HEATHER PATCHETT   

  Greeneville’s two Rotary Clubs, in partnership with Rotary District 7570 and Rural Resources, dedicated a new pavilion at the Rural Resources farm on Holly Creek Road on April 5. The pavilion will provide a gathering place for children in Farm Day Camp, for the teens in the Farm and Food Teen Training Program, and for the community at summer Suppers on the Farm. The Rotary Club of Greeneville and the Greeneville Morning Rotary Club joined forces last spring and applied for a matching grant from Rotary District 7570.  The District stretches from Greeneville in the south to Front Royal, Virginia in the north. Greeneville was one of only four collaborative grants to be approved for funding in the 2015-2016 year.

     Rotary Noon Club President Heather Patchett said, “We are committed to “Service Above Self” and wanted very much to find a meaningful project that would make a difference in our community.  Both our Club and the Morning Rotary Club have been involved with Rural Resources and we knew a pavilion would be a great asset to them.”

Morning Rotary Club President Chris O’Dell added, “We are excited to be able to make a difference in lives of so many young people in Greene County.” Rural Resources has lost two significant structures in the last several years, one to a fire and one to age and instability.  The new pavilion sits on the site of the old barn that had to be taken down, and will provide programming space for the non-profit’s many community programs. 

     A number of local businesses and community members joined the Rotary Clubs in raising money 

to fund the project.  Rural Resources entered the partnership by funding the construction of the 

foundation for the new pavilion.  Donors to the project will be recognized for their support on posts in the pavilion.Local contractor Roy Darnell was selected to build the pavilion, which was designed by Rural Resources Board member Lori Wright. Darnell began work on the site in early January, and 

could be found working through the snow and cold to get the project completed.  A volunteer 

work day was held March 15 and the pavilion hosted its first event on March 19.  

Rural Resources Executive Director Sally Causey and Patchett shared the story of the pavilion’s 

evolution during the gathering.  First Presbyterian Church’s senior minister and former Rural 

Resources Board member , the Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson, led the prayer of dedication for the new 

pavilion, assisted by Rev. Jamie Lively from Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Rev. James 

Dumond from Reformation Lutheran Church.  

     Contractor Roy Darnell, designer Lori Wright, and Rotarians Dave Effler, Tom Mroczko and 

Danny Gaby were recognized for their work and leadership on the project.  Donors of $500 and 

$1,000 or more were recognized by having their names on the posts that support the new 

pavilion.  

     Rural Resources Executive Director shared with those gathered that the new pavilion “has been a 

tremendous gift to Rural Resources.  This is just what we’ve needed, and the construction 

activity has given us new energy.  We can’t wait for the activities that will take place there!”

For 23 years, Rural Resources has served as a community outreach and education center for 

sustainable agriculture in Greene County. The non-profit organization cultivates relationships 

between agricultural leaders and the next generation of farmers through its programming, which 

includes Field Trips, Farm Day Camp, Farm & Food Teen Training and upcoming Farm & Food 

Outreach initiatives. The new Rotary Pavilion at Rural Resources will allow us to more 

effectively work toward our goal to connect farms, food and families. Rotary International was founded in 1905.  

     The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Since 1979, Rotary and its partners have eradicated 99.9% of polio cases in the world. The Rotary Club on Greeneville, which meets at noon on Tuesdays at the General Morgan Inn, celebrated its 95th anniversary last year. The Greeneville Morning Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays in the Laughlin Hospital cafeteria meeting room. Those interested in membership are always welcome to attend.