Gardening for the Greater Good

by | Apr 5, 2022

Reno, Nev. April 6, 2022. Soulful Seeds and the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) unveiled the Our Place Community Garden at Our Place in Sparks, Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

The 2.6 acre, Our Place Community Garden, features a shed, secure fencing, and prime soil for Our Place guests to garden. Hundreds of women and families that are staying at Our Place as part of the Our Place, Crossroads, and Temporary Assistance for Displaced Seniors programs, will have healthy, fresh food. Guests will have the opportunity to learn how to not only provide for themselves, but implement a healthy diet, all while growing a variety of nutritious food.

“This community garden will teach clients on this campus how to provide for themselves and others, giving them an opportunity to move from poverty to sustainability,” said the Co-Founder of Soulful Seeds Earstin Whitten.

Gardening instruction will happen through a variety of activities, such as growing and preparing their own food, providing individuals with their Food Handler Certificate and educating them on a variety of healthy, sustainable food sources.

“We are so grateful for Soulful Seeds, their vision for this project, and for showing such a willingness to partner with Washoe County to help Our Place guests learn valuable gardening skills. We know Our Place is a proven model to help our most vulnerable people back on the path of positive productivity. Our most vulnerable will now be even more equipped to be successful individuals in the community, long after they have graduated our program,” said Washoe County HSA Director Amber Howell.

Washoe County Commission Chair Vaughn Hartung (Dist. 4) donated $20,000 of Special District Funds to Soulful Seeds to help make the project possible.

“We are thankful for the support we have received from the community, businesses, and government agencies. One of the Washoe County Commission’s strategic goals is to provide a safe, secure, and healthy community for all. The new Our Place Community Garden accomplishes our plan and purpose for Washoe County perfectly. Thanks to our partners, hardworking staff, and this fertile soil, Our Place has another reason it will continue to change lives for the better,” said Washoe County Commission Chair Vaughn Hartung.

Commissioner Alexis Hill (Dist. 1) provided $14,000 of Special District Funds to Soulful Seeds to build a fire-resistant structure, which will help store tools and gardening equipment.

“The investment in the Our Place plan, this garden, and our guests, is worthwhile. I’m appreciative of the commitment our community continues to show those looking for some assistance. Having a healthy, nutritious diet is vital to the rehabilitation process, so we know this farm will be put to good use on the Our Place campus. I look forward to seeing the fruits of all the labor in the coming months and years,” said Commissioner Alexis Hill.

Our Place

Our Place is an outcome-based campus, designed to create a safe and stable environment, where women and  families who are experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity and respect, all while being connected to services.

Soulful Seeds

Soulful Seeds is a grassroots 501c3 nonprofit organization in Reno whose focus is reducing food insecurity by providing fresh, healthy food to the most vulnerable populations in northern Nevada

Learn more about Soulful Seeds and Our Place.

 

 

 

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