John Ramstad, fellow rotarian (Hudson Daybreak) provided what he termed a "somewhat accurate overview" of the River Falls Grow To Share program, which believes that everyone should have access to fresh, locally grown food.
Grow to Share is a 501c3 non-profit garden located just north of Hoffman Park in River Falls. It offers three programs:
- Grow to share, plots tended by volunteers, and food grown is donated to food pantries, shelters, and low-income housing throughout the area.
- Grow your own, which consists of 40 garden plots people can rent to grow food for personal use.
- University of Wisconsin Extension’s master gardener demonstration garden.
John Ramstad, fellow rotarian (Hudson Daybreak) provided what he termed a "somewhat accurate overview" of the River Falls Grow To Share program, which believes that everyone should have access to fresh, locally grown food.
Grow to Share is a 501c3 non-profit garden located just north of Hoffman Park in River Falls. It offers three programs:
- Grow to share, plots tended by volunteers, and food grown is donated to food pantries, shelters, and low-income housing throughout the area.
- Grow your own, which consists of 40 garden plots people can rent to grow food for personal use.
- University of Wisconsin Extension’s master gardener demonstration garden.
“Education, community friendships, and the opportunity to grow, physically and mentally, is a wonderful by-product of the garden,” said John. “And we know that we are helping people who have a long list of other things they are concerned with.”
The garden provides an outdoor classroom for several school and community groups throughout the year. Some include 70 first graders, who walk over from nearby schools; St. Bridget’s Summer Stretch program; United Methodist’s youth group, who braved several inches of snow to visit; and some folks from Bridge for Community Life.
The garden grew from an original vision a student had for a community education food program. The organization leases the land from the city and accepts donations for water, seed, and other gardening needs from several sponsors. Grow to Share distributed 2,200 pounds of fresh food in 2017 (latest numbers available).
“I really enjoy working with families and anyone else who wants to come out and join us,” said John. "It’s about building community and getting people connected to the earth – being part of the food.”
Get involved and learn more at www.growtoshare.orgGrow