The Giving Garden - An Educational Farm, Connecting Community with the Living World
The Giving Garden has become a community watering hole; a safe space and refuge to sit with our connection to land and to food. What started as a donation farm - growing and distributing harvests to neighbors without fresh food access - has emerged as an education hub.
Through the development of meaningful partnerships, the Giving Garden provides horticultural education to traditionally under-resourced groups, and the wider community; all in an effort to empower others and build local food sovereignty.
Those who come to the Giving Garden to learn how to grow vegetables - in turn - help to provide fresh food for those without access to nutrient-dense produce. Not only is education empowering, but knowing that one’s learning is contributing to greater food access allows for an even stronger sense of pride.
Meet our partners:
Project YouthBuild - In October, we kicked off an apprenticeship program in partnership with Project YouthBuild in collaboration with local farm, Nicoya Farm. YouthBuild is a 2nd chance program for young people, offering leadership and vocational training to students looking to earn a high-school diploma and begin a career. In our program, apprentices gain hands-on experience in seed-to-plate work environments, as to position themselves as future leaders within the local food system. These efforts are in collaboration with family farm, Nicoya, and other impactful local players, such as Working Food seed bank and kitchen.
Girls Can Do It Too - Breaking the chains of trauma for girls and young women by providing a haven for well-being. This extends to the Giving Garden, where girls come to learn about horticulture while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of teamwork and gardening.
Gainesville Opportunity Center - Adults with disabilities find purpose and empowerment at the GOC. Members join us at the Giving Garden to volunteer, take home harvests, and enjoy horticultural therapy.
