Gardeners in Community Development
growing people
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We mainly address the followings facts: that hunger is common, there are people who need access to food who want space to garden in, the greatest need is among groups that struggle like low income families, immigrant and refugee populations. A major problem is that people-in-need have little or no access to becoming produce producers that consume and distribute what they grow at a level that makes fresh locally grown produce available to others.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Sustainable Community Gardens
We organize and train individuals to have the capacity to manage projects for the long-term. Our oldest project, with Cambodian farmers, has thrived for over 30 years, and others are doing well into their second decades.
Produce Distribution Projects
Gardeners are trained to produce a surplus that they can sell to cover production costs, and donate a portion to those in need. In recent years produce donations to food pantries have exceeded 7,000 pounds, and most are selling within the community or at local farmers markets.
New Gardens
Help new garden groups select sites, find resources, network, and to plan and build a sustainable garden.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We work to identify and train produce growers and distributors from our target populations, and to locate. develop and maintain productive and sustainable food growing sites.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1) We provide a productive asset, a garden/farm space, of a size and quality that is necessary to grow enough vegetables for self consumption, donation to the needy, and to sell to cover personal costs.
2) We provide technical training on organic and natural gardening methods to maintain and use that asset.
3) We cover some of the costs so that participants can focus on learning to use the space.
4) We partner with other agencies that tend at-risk participant's special needs and assist with training (like language for refugee growers).
5). We have regular in-garden coaches, translators, and trainers that reinforce skills, build confidence and help participants handle any challenges they encounter.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our main capabilities fall in five areas:
1) Mentoring new gardeners/farmers. With over 30 years of successful projects we have experienced staff and volunteers that are capable and willing to assist new gardener groups.
2) We have productive well established gardens, two on sites that our organization owns debt free.
3) We are the area experts on soil-based intensive organic production and the growing of specialty crops desired by populations that include immigrants and refugees.
4) We utilize a farmers market setting to generate program revenue, train gardeners to sell some of what they grow, and to educate the wider public about gardening and their participation in local food production and community building strategies.
5) We have successfully helped growers improve production, food distribution, and marketing.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We are known for having the oldest community garden in the greater Dallas area: the East Dallas Community Garden, established in 1988, provides growing and marketing space to refugees from Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and few other places. That East Dallas garden has an aging population that is transitioning to younger participants and needs to make improvements in infrastructure. We started the Live Oak Community Garden 20 years ago, originally with Southeast Asian growers, but for the past 5 years serves refugees from Bhutan. The Live Oak garden is undergoing improvements as a mini-farm, training and market garden project. Fifteen years ago we established the first successful large community garden and farm on church property, an example that lead to the establishment of dozens of other church garden projects. This garden, Our Saviour, includes a large greenhouse, fruit orchard, chickens, plots for families, and a mini-farm donating to food pantries and needy neighbors.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Gardeners in Community Development
Board of directorsas of 11/05/2018
Pinky White
Rebecca Smith
Carolyn Bush
retired nurse, Master Gardener
Don Lambert
GICD Executive Director
Pinky White
Rebecca Smith
Church of Our Saviour