Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The Homeless Garden Project receives a small income through grants, donations from individuals, and
earned income from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and a farm stand. Feed Two Birds with One
Worm is a funding program for donors to contribute money for shares that distribute food to low-income
people in the community. The City of Santa Cruz has a master plan for a greenbelt that includes a nine-acre
permanent site for the Homeless Garden Project, to be financed by a capital campaign.
Does the garden location influence the mission?
The garden was positioned to make it accessible for participants. As well as gardening experience, the mem-
bers receive basic job training and transitional employment, so they need to be able to be at the three-acre
garden as much as possible.
Does the garden mission or location influence the build?
There needed to be enough land for a structure to be incorporated for meetings and group lunches made from
garden produce, two important elements of the Homeless Garden Project. There has been some vandalism as
the garden is not fenced; the community responded with support when there were two fires that destroyed
buildings, and Habitat for Humanity built a new structure.
Who is the food being grown for?
Many participants don't have a place to cook, or they might live in a shelter without these facilities. Shared
lunches utilize the produce grown and the rest is sold at the local farmers' market or distributed through a
CSA with members who pay a fee. These funding sources support the project. Produce is also made available
to low-income community members.
Who are the gardeners?
A diverse population of up to fifteen people who are mainly Asian, Mexican, and Native American, includ-
ing several veterans, form the core of the program, with other community members working in volunteer ca-
pacities.
Does the neighborhood have any impact on the mission?
Only in that space was available and it was accessible to participants.
Is there an educational mandate for the garden?
The entire project is about education—both in growing food and in growing skills for participants to move
out of homelessness.
Is the garden genesis driven by some other need, example, or force?
The founder, Paul Lee, is a visionary who wanted to move the homeless out of homelessness by helping them
do something for the environment that they could be proud of.
