Hamilton, MT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: In Montana's Bitterroot Valley, older adults and low-income families faced food insecurity and limited access to fresh produce. The "Veggie Brigade" paired youth farm interns with older adults to grow vegetables in donated yard spaces and community plots. Volunteers built 32 raised beds, distributed thousands of plants and prepared weekly salads and soups for local food assistance clients. The project increased food availability and created intergenerational connections through shared gardening and meal preparation. This has led tohands-on education that will support ongoing efforts to fight food insecurity and strengthen community ties. "Having a young team of Veggie Brigade interns that could clean out our large garden after my husband passed away was so meaningful," one participant said.

Pine Bluff, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: For children living below the poverty line in Pine Bluffs, affordable fruits and vegetables are difficult to come by. The Seed to Table Community Garden helps to close the gap, providing garden plots for local families. The City of Pine Bluffs further improved the garden by installing an accessible pavilion and eight benches. They also provided extra gardening supplies, fertilizer and seedlings to help the garden serve additional residents.

Cabot, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Limited access to fresh food and green space left many residents, especially older adults without healthy options or social outlets. To change that, the organization built community garden beds next to the local adult center, added benches and a storage shed and began creating signage. The gardens will provide fresh produce and host educational programs with local farmers. The project paired gardening and interactions with adoptable dogs to reduce stress and foster connection. They aim to improve nutrition, mental health and community engagement.