Meet Kelly Riley: Growing Food, Joy, and Hope at H.O.P.E. Gardens
In February 2025, Kelly Riley joined H.O.P.E. Gardens as a Garden Assistant/Educator—and it didn’t take long for her to feel right at home. With a deep-rooted love for gardening and a heart set on helping others, Kelly has found the perfect place to dig in, grow, and give back.
“I love gardening and sharing the things I learn with others,” Kelly says. “And I love sharing my harvests, so people can enjoy the beauty and fun of the garden while also getting food to eat.”
Her passion for helping others started early. “When I was a little kid, I told my mom that I wanted to feed all the hungry babies in the world. It’s stuck with me,” she adds. That same compassion now drives her work with H.O.P.E. Gardens, where growing healthy food and growing community go hand in hand.
Before joining the H.O.P.E. team, Kelly worked in donor services at Feeding America West Michigan and Paws With A Cause. She also spent time in the library world, working at Lakeland Library Cooperative and Muskegon Area District Library. While the roles were different, the common thread was clear—serving others.
Now, Kelly brings that same spirit to the garden, where she helps tend school and community plots, assists with classes, and supports students and volunteers alike.
“What I enjoy most is that my job matches my passions pretty much exactly,” she says. “And it offers a variety of tasks to keep things interesting. Playing with seeds and seedlings is my favorite, though.”
Kelly’s hands-on experience and enthusiasm for gardening are unmistakable. She began gardening in containers while living in a mobile home community, learning as she went. “I started out small and kept learning,” she says. “I’m always astounded to see things actually grow and reach harvest time.”
Outside of work, Kelly enjoys—you guessed it—gardening, along with reading and browsing Pinterest and YouTube for crafting and gardening inspiration. “I don’t always get around to doing the crafts,” she laughs, “but I love the ideas.” Her days off often include binge-watching gardening, travel, or nerdy science shows.
Asked for a favorite plant, Kelly lights up: “My Orange Wonder Snapdragon puts a huge smile on my face. I’m also currently obsessed with dry beans and dahlias I grow from seeds. Really, I just love all the color in the garden.”
Her best gardening advice? “Life finds a way and keep going. Some seasons are not ideal, but there always seems to be something that makes it through. Try again the next year!”
With Kelly on the team, H.O.P.E. Gardens continues to be a place where plants—and people—can grow.
