Heartbeat Learning Gardens is a 501(c)3 nonprofit farm with its main mission being responding to the immediate needs of local food insecurity by donating all of their organic produce to local food pantries. Some of the ways they do this are by demonstrating sustainable horticultural practices while offering hands-on learning experiences with the many different workshops they hold on the farm. With this they donate anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 lbs of fresh produce each year to local food pantries.
My main role with the organization is being a farm hand with my main job consisting of daily maintenance of many things and planting when possible. Each year heartbeat holds an annual plant sale by growing and selling thousands of plant starts that range from vegetables, to flowers, and even herbs. I was a major help in the beginning of my co-op with the transferring and the setting up of the sale. It’s amazing seeing how much work goes into the project and the impact it has on the community.
Within the past few weeks Tuesdays have become harvest days where me and many other volunteers work together to gather the produce, wash it, and pack what needs to be packed. So far in just a couple of weeks the farm has donated a couple hundred pounds in produce to local food-banks with much more to come.Types of plants harvested so far include lettuce turnips, garlic scapes, kale, and many more.
It amazes me how a smaller scale farm helps the community in such a big way by providing food to families helping to improve stability. Many people struggle with food insecurity in different ways like access to fresh nutritious food because of issues like money and location. Heartbeat offers a head on solution to these problems with its scale of productions and its mission in mind. Workshops led by farm workers is another prime example of an impact towards the community. The farm offers many different classes with some including a mushroom log workshop and a wild plant identification class during the time that I’ve been there. These opportunities show people different ways to use their surroundings in ethical and productive ways.
This co-op has further helped me solidify my decisions to study environmental science by giving me hands-on experience in sustainable farming and community involvement. Being more socially aware of food insecurity is the only way to address the problem at hand. The work done at heartbeat gardens is a prime example of an organization that strives in trying to address the problem in sustainable ways. It’s made me realize the value of community interactions and relationships that stay with me for a long time. I’m very proud to talk about the work done on this farm and I am confident I will return as a volunteer in the future.
Heartbeat Learning Gardens Website
