The first dirt was moved Saturday at what will become the Mill Village Community Garden and Food Park.

The garden is the dream of Grow Selma, whose volunteers worked Saturday to clean up the Old Phillies Cigar Factory.

The work at the site comes ahead of a yard sale that Selma Charity League has planned for April 18 to benefit the community garden.

“We told them we would clean all this up and get it looking good for them,” said Clay Carmichael with Grow Selma.

The 30 volunteers, which included students from Hope Academy, also put up two signs with information about the garden, built compost bins and planted apple and pear trees for a future orchard.

The trees will bloom this spring and could have small fruit as early as this year, according to Carla Sherman.

Sonya Taylor with Hope Academy said she wanted to get her students involved to teach them about work ethic and giving back to the community.

“We are teaching our kids how to give back through community service. They are also learning work skills and how to be productive members of the community,” Taylor said.

The workday precedes a busy spring for Grow Selma. In addition to multiple workdays and the Charity League’s Yard Sale, the nonprofit also has its Rock ‘N Ribs Benefit on April 25.

Look for details about upcoming Grow Selma workdays and fundraisers in future editions.