GROW
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : m*******m@g***********t.o*g
Mission Statement
GROW is the nonprofit advocacy organization for community gardens in Seattle and surrounding areas. It is the new and expanded identity of the P-Patch Trust, which for decades promoted and provided services for P-Patches.
About This Cause
GROW’s vision We see inclusive, vibrant Northwest communities fed by organic gardeners and farmers, and a healthy food culture. Our mission We build healthy and diverse communities by: Advocating for, managing and funding organic community gardens, urban farms and green spaces Providing educational opportunities for growing, sharing and preparing food Acquiring and holding land for organic community gardens, urban farms and green spaces. What we do: GROW and its predecessor organizations have been providing effective and consistent advocacy and services for organic community gardens for more than 40 years. Our work includes: Advocacy for community gardens: GROW works with the City of Seattle, King County and other government and private entities to protect existing gardens and to find sites and mechanisms for creating additional ones. We also coach neighborhood groups through the process of starting a community garden or orchard. Ownership of P-Patches: GROW is a land conservancy that can own property, which ensures community gardens can be maintained in perpetuity. We presently own or co-own six of Seattle’s P-Patches. (The others are on public property, which can be re-purposed for other uses as urban density increases.) GROW works on an ongoing basis to identify and facilitate the development of additional sites for community gardens, and always pursues possibilities for acquiring more properties. Leadership development: Community gardens function best when they have a team of site leaders who can work together to meet the needs of gardeners and landowners. We provide free training and consultation to help develop effective leadership teams. Support for low-income gardeners: As part of our commitment to help enable everyone to garden and grow food as needed, GROW pays the plot fees for low-income gardeners in the Seattle P-Patch network who request assistance. Tools and seeds: GROW purchases tools for shared use at gardens that need them, and also distributes seeds for gardeners’ use. Financial assistance: We make small grants for the development of community gardens, and for assistance to organizations that increase the availability of healthy food for low-income people. Food for the needy: GROW encourages gardeners at P-Patches and other sites to “grow a row for the hungry,” and supports systems for having produce from community gardens delivered to local food banks and programs providing meals to hungry people. The P-Patch Post: Three times a year, GROW issues a tabloid publication called the P-Patch Post, which provides seasonal gardening tips, recipes, stories about inspirational gardeners and interesting community gardens, and much more. Past and present issues of the Post are available on this website. Liability insurance: GROW provides liability insurance for all Seattle P-Patches and some other community gardens, ensuring that gardeners have coverage in case of accident or injury. Fiscal agency services: We serve as the required fiscal agent for community gardens and parks, providing them a legal mechanism for raising and managing their funds as a non-profit entity.