St. Johnsbury, VT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To give residents access to fresh produce, the Vermont Community Garden Network installed garden beds at two affordable housing complexes in St. Johnsbury and Newport. Over several building days, volunteers worked to clear old wood and debris, cut boards to construct the raised beds, fill them with soil and plant garlic bulbs for residents to harvest in the spring. To ensure the crop's success, they also held a demonstration to teach residents how to plant, care for and harvest garlic. In addition to improving residents' physical health through nutritious food, organizers say the gardens will support mental health, too, by combating social isolation. The Network continues to host workshops and provide seeds, tools and other support to gardeners at both housing complexes.

Eufaula, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: When a local garden closed during the pandemic, older adults and low-income families lost access to fresh produce and a vital community resource. To fill the gap, volunteers created a new garden with raised beds for vegetables and flowers plus accessible benches. They partnered with Twelve Stones to revive gardening efforts and teach maintenance skills for sustainability. The garden now provides nutritious food for families and older adults, supports healthy living and reconnects residents after years without a shared space. Volunteers said they they truly appreciate something in the community that could help provide fresh vegetables for local families.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Kansas City, MO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The project tackled the challenge of a once-neglected lot that offered no inviting place for residents to sit or gather, reinforcing its reputation as an unsafe and unused space. The project added seating as a first step toward real progress in reclaiming the area, encouraging people to rest and converse. The improvements also reduced unwanted activity by showing that the site was becoming active again. Growing community interest supported future phases of the vision, and volunteers and interns continued stepping in to help at events. The upgrades sparked conversations about bringing similar spaces to other neighborhoods.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.