The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Seeds of Faith Collective, and GROW North Texas celebrated the groundbreaking of a new “People’s Garden” March 4, 2023, at Garth Chapel A.M.E. in Dallas.
The event symbolized the launch of a food garden, which was established using funds awarded by the NRCS People’s Garden Initiative.
“Today, we commemorate the new Seeds of Faith Collective, which is a partnership among Grow North Texas, Northway Christian Church, Greater Garth Chapel, Warren Avenue Christian Church and the Texas Nature Resources Conservation Service,” said NRCS Texas State Conservationist Kristy Oates. “This garden will help build food resilience for families impacted by economic and food inequity. This garden exemplifies exactly what the People’s Garden initiative strives to do: benefit and educate the community and teach sustainable conservation practices that are collaborative in nature.”
GROW North Texas Executive Director Susie Marshall said GROW North Texas is “honored to be supporting this project that will have true impact in the community. Having a USDA People’s Garden in South Dallas tells people across the country that something good is happening here,” she said.
The Seeds of Faith groundbreaking commemorates the second People’s Garden in Dallas established by the USDA NRCS. People’s Gardens empower communities to participate in local food production and provide diversity and resiliency to the food supply chain. The People’s Gardens Initiative is an example of how local gardens can foster community collaboration, grow local and nutritious food, nurture greenspace and inspire people through the experience of growing from seed to plant.
“We are working to increase urban agriculture because it plays a tremendously important role in growing fresh, healthy produce locally, while also providing jobs, beautifying neighborhoods and offering residents access to fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are scarce,” Oates said.
The garden will serve as a viable resource for residents to get fresh, healthy food while practicing urban conservation as a community.
“The food from this garden will serve as a catalyst for rewriting our health narrative as a developing community food oasis and supplement to the church's food ministry with fresh garden produce,” said Candace Thompson, garden steward for the Seeds of Faith Garden. “We believe in nourishing our neighbors and supporting our thriving community together.”
The People’s Garden initiative was initially launched in 2009 and is named after President Lincoln’s name for USDA, which he called “The People’s Department.” USDA was established during his presidency in 1862. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day by focusing America’s food system towards more resilient local and regional food production and fairer markets for all producers, while ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities.
To learn more, visit USDA.gov.
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