Springfield Community Gardens

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” ~ James Beard

It’s true, and although everyone knows it, the Springfield Community Gardens (SGC) is doing something to make that a more impactful experience in Springfield and the surrounding areas. In the past year alone, Springfield Community Gardens, along with their volunteers, have helped distribute over 280,000 pounds of free produce to impact over 20,000 individuals! They are passionate about using their network of volunteer-led gardens to not only grow healthy food, but also build relationships and generate social capital within each neighborhood.

 Springfield Community Gardens has developed programs designed to foster communities toward self reliance and self sufficiency. The growing network of gardens has enabled their programs to bring that food to those who may not have full plates without it. They know that feeding a community is not the first or last step, which is why the SCG programs are designed to integrate learning in the community with different opportunities for people from urban areas. By partnering with neighborhood leaders and local farmers, SCG creates relationships that teach skills while empowering and connecting those in the community, no matter what their cultural or socio-economic background. 

Programs

4-H Grow to Ride

Our youth are the future, and it is with that knowledge that SCG created their Grow to Ride program. This program brings youth from local neighborhoods together with caring adults to help the kids enhance literacy, develop personal responsibility through horsemanship, and learn the importance of food sustainability while providing a service to their communities. Kids that volunteer in the garden regularly learn to ride horses and receive books as a reward for their hard work. This program is funded through partnerships with the Springfield Greene County Park Board and Horse Tales Literacy Project. 

Farm Incubator Program

The Farm Incubator Program provides hands on education, mentorship 

and training in farming practices and business development. This helps address the needs and enhance the success of young, beginning, and underrepresented farmers in rural and urban areas of the Ozarks. This training includes regenerative agriculture practices and soil management, as well as planning, finance, and marketing strategies. They also provide access to land, equipment, tools, high tunnel space, walk-in coolers, wash stations, and a commercial kitchen. One of the most powerful resources SCG provides is their connections with local networks including the USDA and Farm Service Agency. There are several training sites available at this time, including The Market Garden, Amanda Bell’s Farm, East Stanford Farms and the Cox Community Kitchen. 

Ozarks Food Harvest Produce Distribution

Ozarks Food Harvest has also partnered with SCG in order to address growing poverty levels by providing food to families in need. Volunteers who help in the community gardens receive fresh produce, even in the non-growing season. They also work to distribute fresh food, giving away over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce every week and over 550,000 pounds in the last four years. 

For more information about the Springfield Community Gardens, go to https://www.springfieldcommunitygardens.org/

If you would like information on how The Grantwell can help your organization succeed, please contact Christina@thegwllc.com