Helping Gardens and Children Grow
Garden Club of Dayton Partners with Mission of Mary to Foster Urban Gardens and Hands-on Education
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January 15, 2025
By: Shawn Spain
In May 2024, The Garden Club of Dayton (GCD) supported Mission of Mary (MOM) Cooperative, an urban farm, with a $12,500 grant. Since 2009, MOM has been revitalizing the inner east side of Dayton by transforming vacant lots into productive vegetable gardens, including Lincoln Hill Garden, a plot developed by MOM featuring twenty community garden beds, three greenhouses, an orchard, and a natural playground. MOM gardens produce over 60,000 pounds of fresh food annually, aiming to place as much of this nutritious harvest as possible on the tables of local families.
Besides supporting MOM’s expansion of the urban farm and gardening programs, the grant will fund the hands-on, experiential educational programs of a new early childhood preschool under construction adjacent to the Lincoln Hill Garden. The grant will aid in the creation of interactive educational programs, giving preschoolers hands-on opportunities to engage in gardening activities. Through these experiences, children will learn about the plant life cycle, the importance of sustainable gardening practices, and the rewarding process of growing their own food. Additionally, fresh produce from the gardens will be incorporated into the school’s lunch program, ensuring students benefit from meals made with nutrient-rich ingredients.
The GCD and MOM partnership aligns, sharing the core value of nurturing a deeper understanding of nature and nutrition among the youngest members of the community. The Garden Club of Dayton and the GCA continue to make an impact by supporting community-driven initiatives in fostering a greener, healthier future for everyone.