While many of us enjoy backyard gardening, not everyone has access to land to grow their own gardens and there are barriers to successful community-based gardening efforts. Rooted, a local nonprofit based in Madison, is helping to create “healthy, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods'' that embrace the positive impact of sharing fresh, quality food through community gardening. Rooted’s Community Gardens Network is just one of the organization’s programming efforts focused on food, land, and learning.
The Community Gardens Network is a partnership between Rooted, UW Madison Extension Dane County, and the City of Madison that connects people with the land, education, and resources to create and sustain community gardens. There are 72 gardens in the Community Gardens Network throughout Dane County, with Rooted providing direct support to 40 different gardens. The organization also holds 54 acres of community gardening land in the larger Madison community. Rooted’s Community Gardens Network provides leadership development training, knowledge sharing, and capacity building to community garden leaders.
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Rooted’s collaborative efforts are varied and impressive. Fresh vegetables grown at the organization’s urban farms go on to support local markets, community centers, and food pantries: Troy Farm alone (pictured) grew over 60,000 pounds of food last year. Plus, the organization supports the next generation of growers through on-site field trips and gardening programs at three of their sites: Troy Kids’ Garden, Madison School Farm, and Badger Rock.
Equity, racial justice, and celebrating diversity in the community are at the forefront of their work: for example, the Community Gardens Network supports diverse garden organizers who face barriers to access, has partnered with local groups to build raised beds to serve gardeners with physical disabilities, and created a radio program with WORT that highlights stories of garden elders of color.
The Mad City Dream Homes is excited to celebrate an organization that is addressing a community need so comprehensively. Thank you for all you do, Rooted! Learn more at rootedwi.org.
