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Meet Julie Brunson: Growing H.O.P.E. in the Heart of Wyoming, MI

As the Executive Director and co-founder of H.O.P.E. Gardens, Julie Brunson’s journey is deeply rooted in personal experiences and a passion for cultivating resilience through gardening. Alongside her husband, Julie established H.O.P.E. Gardens with the mission of inspiring children and families in Wyoming, MI, to connect with their food and nurture their communities through nature-based […]

Meet Angie Bruder

Garden Educator at H.O.P.E. Gardens Angie Bruder brings a unique blend of compassion, expertise, and enthusiasm to her role as a Garden Educator at H.O.P.E. Gardens. After volunteering with the organization in 2022, Angie officially joined the team in the summer of 2023, driven by a passion for helping children develop healthy eating habits through […]

Meet Sarah Samosuik

Garden Educator/Manager at H.O.P.E. Gardens Sarah Samosuik joined the team in April of 2021. Serving as the Garden Educator/Manager and Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah brings her passion for outdoor work, a love for children, and a deep appreciation for the earth to her role. Sarah’s journey to H.O.P.E. Gardens was inspired by a desire to combine […]

Meet Andrea Shingledecker

Garden Educator at H.O.P.E. Gardens Andrea Shingledecker joined the H.O.P.E. Gardens team in 2021, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for connecting children with nature. Inspired by her volunteer work at her own children’s school, she was deeply moved by the positive impact gardening lessons had on students. Today, Andrea combines […]

Meet Holly Smith

Lead Educator at H.O.P.E. Gardens Holly Smith joined H.O.P.E. Gardens in 2019, bringing with her a wealth of experience from a distinguished teaching career at Tri-Unity Christian School in Wyoming. As the Lead Educator, Holly plays a pivotal role in designing and leading engaging garden and nutrition lessons, which she and the teaching staff deliver […]

Meet Josh Usadel

Role: Garden Technician/Garden EducatorJoined H.O.P.E. Gardens: Summer of 2022 Josh Usadel became part of the H.O.P.E. Gardens team after his mom shared a help-wanted ad, and it sounded like the perfect fit. With a background in organic vegetable farming and substitute teaching, Josh saw H.O.P.E. Gardens as a great opportunity to combine his skills in […]

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