After seeing three different local businesses announcing a ‘Giving Garden flyer’ initiative in three days, 
I figured I better find out what all the excitement was about. If the White Bear Press, Sassafras Health Foods and Lake Country Booksellers all gave this idea space,  I knew it was worth checking out.
Chris Harms has social activism running through his veins. Reading the book ‘Confronting Suburban Poverty in America’ lit a fire that is, thankfully, still burning strong. After reading the book, an existing friendship was a safe harbor for conversations that grew a mutual drive for inspiring community cohesiveness that seeks to discover core community values.  Both he and Rolf Lowenberg-Deboer, he’s the friend who also has the green thumb, have worked in the nonprofit world for most of their careers. Working with the persistently mentally ill and homeless in the Minneapolis & St. Paul areas gave them a ‘street level’ understanding of the needs of our area. “The suburbs are different than the urban core,” says Harms, “ the same poverty is present, but is more camoflauged by societal perceptions of poverty and where it exists in suburban communities.”

And the needs of our neighbors are growing.

The Second Harvest Heartland website states,
“1 in 10 = The number of households in Minnesota affected by hunger. Hunger is an urban, suburban and rural problem.
There is no corner of the state where hunger does not exist.”

Chris was driven to make a social impact that went, “beyond politics, no matter who you voted for in the election; most everybody felt exhausted, beaten down by the campaign process.” This was a chance to empower himself and others.

Chris shared that he, “maintains the belief that people long for an experience in life and interpersonal connection that is genuine and authentic,” and he’s ready to help you dig in.

He researched other examples of giving gardens around the area, and after finding the Bemidji Community Food Shelf Farm, he was inspired to bring the garden to peoples’ homes in the form of raised garden beds. He also wanted to give people the recurring chance to physically touch and feel what they were doing to help others. He thinks it will serve as a good reminder of the issues, and a positive way to impact those issues.

Activism is for Everyone

Once the decision was made, many of the pieces for the Giving Garden dream came together naturally, from long-time friends to chance meetings. He started by garnering the support of a few local companies. Harms has gratefully received lumber commitments from Universal Forestry Products and Structural Wood Corporation, both in White Bear Lake and J.L. Schwieters Building Supply in Hugo.  “In addition to the lumber commitments, Rehbein’s Black Dirt in Hugo will be providing high quality screened topsoil at a greatly reduced cost and no delivery charges,” Harms happily added. Kind of proud of that awesome support from our local companies. He is starting with 50 raised beds this summer.

With a solid agency like the White Bear Lake Emergency Food Shelf in the community, Chris knew where to find that partner. He’s been working with Lee Bailey-Seiler, the White Bear Area Food Shelf coordinator, on learning how to weigh and log the produce grown in the giving gardens.

Once a garden is adopted and planted, the gardeners will be expected to donate a majority (51%) of the produce grown to a local food shelf of their choice and keep adding fresh veggie power to their neighbors’ meals, and the Giving Garden goal of fighting food insecurity here at home.

Chris Harms, installing his own Giving Garden

This idea is quickly gaining momentum!

Just before publication, Chris reported that 32 raised bed are adopted. He loves that people from all walks of life have signed on for the fun. The youngest gardener is a college kid home for the summer who will be setting up the bed in her parent’s yard, the oldest, an 89-year old woman who decided it was the right time to do something. (Gosh I love that)

They are still looking for more people to adopt the rest of the gardens, 18 gardens are looking for homes with caring families. Delivery starts on Friday, May 19th, and Saturday, May 20th. If you can’t bring a garden home to your own yard, you could still help deliver one to a neighbor!

Chris has long term dreams to tackle food insecurity as well, a community farm, deep winter green-house for when kids are in school to use it as a service project, and when we all could use the fresh produce.

You can contact Chris and stay up to date through the Giving Gardens Facebook page or leave a comment for me and I’ll get you in touch.

Giving gardens of all shapes and sizes are popping up around our towns. If you read this and are too far away to have Chris deliver a garden to your yard, here are some ways to get your own giving garden growing soon!

Are you inspired yet?

Dig In & Do Good!

Michelle