Gainesville's Giving Garden Named 2022 Grant Recipient

In the heart of Gainesville, Florida, lies a flourishing oasis - the Gainesville Giving Garden. This community-led non-profit farm was initiated during the pandemic, born out of concerns for food insecurity.

The garden's central location was generously donated by a local property owner for just one dollar. From an abandoned parking lot, it has been transformed into a large, thriving garden, thanks to the dedication of its volunteers. By the end of the growing season, 50 volunteers were providing consistent manpower.

The garden's founder, Meg Boria-Meyer, grew up in Maine with parents who were avid gardeners. She brought this passion to Gainesville and, with the help of her co-leads, Steve and Lauren, the garden has flourished. Steve, an expert in permaculture, has played a significant role in establishing the garden's pollinator gardens. Lauren, a certified Nutritionist and Professor of Human Nutrition, leads the Giving Garden's Community Health initiatives.

The Giving Garden offers a variety of community-led workshops on gardening, sustainable living, and pollinators, open to the public. It also partners with local organizations to distribute fresh vegetables to marginalized individuals. While the exact names of these partner organizations are not listed, they include organisations like Project YouthBuild and the Gainesville Opportunity Center (GOC), which provides educational opportunities for marginalized groups.

The GOC, serving mentally and physically disabled individuals, spends time at the Giving Garden for learning and practicing teamwork in the garden beds. Project YouthBuild students learn about various aspects of healthy gardening, including planting, mulching, and soil and water retention.

Last season's harvest at the Gainesville Giving Garden resulted in approximately 2,000 pounds of donated vegetables. The garden sources most of its seeds from a local seed bank, Working Food, and nearby nonprofit nursery, Grow Hub.

Sunday is Volunteer Day at the Gainesville Giving Garden, with tasks distributed to volunteers ranging from 3 to 73 years old. The platform awards $1,000 to 20 different garden projects annually to help meet their needs for resources and publicity.

For more information about the Gainesville Giving Garden, visit their website or Facebook page. Together, we can continue to grow and give back to our community.