Vernon, CT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: A vacant courtyard at the Senior Center offered little value while older adults had limited access to fresh produce and social engagement. The project transformed the space with eight raised garden beds, trellises and an accessible walkway. About 15 volunteers planned and maintain the gardens, which will supply vegetables for meals and share extras with members and local shelters. Participants expressed excitement about gardening again, anticipating healthier meals and renewed opportunities for connection and activity.

New Orleans, LA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Located within a food desert, the Upper 9th Ward of New Orleans has endured hurricanes and years of disinvestment. To give residents a gathering space, provide healthy food and create a respite from hot weather, Water Wise Gulf South and the Bunny Friend Neighborhood Association planned a new community orchard and vegetable garden. Volunteers cleared the site of debris and overgrowth. They then spread hardwood mulch in the orchard area and planted orange, lemon and persimmon trees. In the garden they built planter boxes and filled them with spinach, lettuce, mustard greens and passionflower vines. The site incorporates solar-powered charging stations a pavilion to provide shade and green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff. Organizers hope the orchard and garden will allow for neighborhood events, access to fresh food and opportunities to educate locals about stormwater management and food production.

Gettysburg, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Older residents who moved into apartments downtown lost space to garden, an activity that fosters social connection and food sharing. To address this, volunteers turned an empty lot into a community garden with raised beds for accessibility and hosted workshops on soil health and planting tips. A kickoff planting event brought neighbors together despite rain, and produce was donated to the local food pantry. The project sparked plans for more gardens and a mural featuring local artists age 50-plus. One couple said that this project allowed them to get involved with gardening again, share knowledge and help donate extra produce.