H.O.P.E. Gardens Featured in School News Network: Cultivating Community and Learning
This year, H.O.P.E. Gardens was honored to be one of only four organizations in Michigan awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. School News Network visited our schools to learn more about what this grant means for us. Check out their article here.
An Evening of Appreciation: Celebrating Community Under Autumn Skies
Our appreciation party for the families of our staff, board members, and volunteers unfolded on a perfect fall evening under the gazebo on the picturesque Troost family property. We kicked things off with a hearty meal of sloppy joes, cheesy potatoes, and a variety of sides. After dinner, everyone got creative, decorating and naming their […]
Growing Dreams: A New Community Garden for Families & Neighbors
Last week several dreams were fulfilled as a new community no-till nature-based garden was installed. The dream of a dear friend of many, Theresa Drost, was realized as children joyfully prepared the land to begin a new garden where families will come together to grow food and community. The dream of Family Network who envisions […]
A Family School Garden Adventure at STEM Night!
We loved being a part of West Elementary’s STEM Night, showcasing the beautiful garden that students helped create! Families enjoyed a fruit salsa tasting and were given a kid-friendly recipe cookbook before heading out to explore the school garden. For many parents, it was their first time seeing the garden, and their children proudly led […]
Garden Detectives on the Case: Uncovering Nature’s Secrets with All Five Senses!
This year, 3rd and 4th graders from four Wyoming elementary schools are embarking on the Great Garden Detective Adventure! In their first lesson, the young detectives used their five senses to gather clues about the fruits and vegetables growing in the garden. As part of this exploration, they tasted a variety of produce and used […]
Julie’s Fresh Heirloom Tomato Salad
This tomato salad recipe is inspired by my nature-based garden in Michigan, where a variety of heirloom tomatoes brings vibrant color and fresh flavor to every dish. We started gardening this way over a decade ago, and now it’s a lush, thriving space that yields beautiful fruit with minimal effort. At this time of year, […]
From Bloom to Seed: Harvesting Sunflowers for Next Season’s Growth
Harvesting Sunflowers!
From Vine to Cup: Empower U Students Make Their Own Grape Juice
From the vine to the cup! Concorde Grape Juice!
A Beautiful Harvest: FitKids360 Summer Celebration
This summer, we had the most beautiful time harvesting, preparing, and sharing a meal with the families we’ve been gardening with as part of our collaboration with FitKids360! It was a celebration of the hard work, care, and dedication these families put into growing their gardens, and the results were nothing short of amazing. As […]
Parent Night Open Houses in the Garden
“I’m Growing Food at Home!”We were thrilled to hear that families from Parkview, Oriole Park, and Gladiola Elementary have been embracing gardening at home! During the recent Parent Open House events at all three schools, excitement filled the air as students proudly guided their parents through the gardens they helped cultivate. These vibrant gardens, full […]