A Special Visit from U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten
It was a beautiful morning in the West Elementary garden as U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten and her staff visited to see firsthand the impact of H.O.P.E. Gardens programs. We were grateful to have West Elementary teachers Mitch Dahlstrom, who also serves on our H.O.P.E. Gardens team and manages this garden, and STEAM teacher Regan Koontz […]
🥗 Fall in the Garden: Learning, Harvesting, and Tasting
This fall, our school gardens were buzzing with excitement as students rolled up their sleeves and experienced the full cycle of growing food. 🌿 🌻 Learning Garden SafetyBefore stepping into the beds, students learned the basics of garden safety—how to use tools carefully, why we wear gloves, and how to respect the plants (and each […]
Sip and Savor 2025
What a wonderful evening we had in the garden for our Sip & Savor event! Guests gathered among the flowers and tomatoes to enjoy a beautiful night of community, flavor, and fun. 🍅 The heirloom tomato tasting was the star of the evening, with everyone sampling juicy bites straight from our gardens. ☕ Full Circle […]
Thursday Nights in the Garden: Growing Food, Families, and Friendships
Sun, Green, Heat, Weeds, Watering Cans, Laughter, Sweat, Radishes, Conversations, little kids, parents, Seeds, Peppers, Mint, teens, Spanish and English words all swirling together over fifteen garden beds for twenty, thirty, even forty minutes. It all then unwinds in departing footsteps, two by two, and slamming car doors as the sun slants lower and longer, […]
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 […]
Reflecting on 2024 and Growing Together in 2025
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to reflect on a year filled with growth, education, and community impact. This year, HOPE Gardens reached 2,641 students in garden and nutrition classes that inspired young minds and fostered a love for healthy living. From engaging students to hosting workshops and our successful heirloom plant sale, […]
Putting Our Gardens to Sleep for the Winter
As the growing season comes to an end, it’s time to tuck our gardens in for their winter rest. Recent mulch deliveries at North Godwin and Lee Middle helped us prepare the soil for the colder months, ensuring it stays protected and nourished. These two gardens needed a little extra attention, but luckily we had […]
New Fences and Expansions at Four School Gardens
Big things are happening in our school gardens! This fall, four Wyoming school gardens received brand-new fences: Godfrey Early Childhood Center, Godfrey Elementary, Gladiola Elementary, and West Elementary. These additions bring both beauty and functionality to each space, making the gardens even more welcoming and efficient. At Gladiola Elementary and West Elementary, the upgrades didn’t […]
From Soil to Plate: First Graders Discover the Journey of Food
By Angie Bruder, Garden Educator How does food get here? Does it just appear in stores? To answer that question, first graders at West Godwin explored the fascinating journey of cornflakes from soil to plate. Students learned that all foods come from nature, and then many foods are trucked to factories for processing and packaging. […]
October Garden Lessons: 1st and 2nd Grades Discover the Joys of Gardening and Healthy Eating
In our indoor sessions in 31 classrooms of first and second graders, we explored the question, “What’s so great about gardening?” Together, we discussed the benefits of growing our own food and the importance of making healthy choices. This led to a lively conversation about “Sometime Foods” and “Anytime Foods,” helping students understand which snacks […]