Cultivating Community

Grant to Bountiful Cities Plants the Seeds of Sustainability & Collaboration

In April of 2009, the Foundation made a Recession Response Grant to the Bountiful Cities Project to support the formation of new community gardens. The modest $5,000 grant, distributed amongst six community gardens, will impact neighborhoods for years to come.

In addition to supplying approximately 1,500 families and individuals, these community gardens can provide an education in sustainable agriculture and the possibility of income through the sale of fruits, vegetables and flowers. “The Community Foundation grant enabled us to form partnerships, provide tools and equipment and to bring people together to create these gardens that will benefit people that are largely low-wealth people of color,” said Director Darcel Eddins. “To be able to increase volunteer participation, food production and access to affordable fruits and vegetables in these communities is a good thing.”

Dewayne Barton created the first Burton Street Garden on his own land. “Hope grows relationships,” he said. “Some of these neighborhoods have been known for their flaws and failures but a community garden shows that we can unite.” The garden at Burton Street includes a greenhouse, art installations, community gathering spaces and more. A second Burton Street Garden has been prepared for cultivation next spring. “These gardens are teaching people to work and to be entrepreneurial in a setting that feels comfortable and safe,” said Barton.

For ten years, Bountiful Cities has been working with communities to seek resources and to teach and learn about sustainable agriculture.

Photos by Robin Dreyer.