Meet Jessi Raymer
Garden Assistant and Educator at H.O.P.E. Gardens
For Jessi, gardening is more than planting seeds. It’s an ongoing lesson in patience, adaptability, and paying attention to the quiet moments of growth that often go unnoticed. As H.O.P.E. Gardens’ Garden & Education Assistant, she brings that perspective into every garden and classroom she enters.
Jessi was drawn to H.O.P.E. Gardens because she believes gardening can be truly transformative. Learning how to care for plant, and how to stay grounded when things don’t go as planned, has shaped her not only as a gardener, but as a member of her community. Through gardening, she has developed a deep appreciation for the interconnected ecosystems that sustain the natural world, and she is excited to share that sense of curiosity and care with kids and families.
Alongside her role at H.O.P.E. Gardens, Jessi works part-time as the Community Engagement Coordinator for GRTV. Her background also includes residential gardening for a small, woman-owned business, as well as work within the charitable food system; experiences that continue to inform her approach to food access and education.
In April 2025, Jessi earned her Master of Arts in Social Innovation from Grand Valley State University. Her culminating thesis explored food justice efforts across five food access organizations in Grand Rapids, Michigan, deepening her commitment to community-centered solutions and equitable food systems.
When she’s not working, Jessi enjoys spending time in her own garden, sewing, practicing yoga, and attending live music shows. She also loves tackling DIY house projects. During the colder months, she can often be found cheering on the Detroit Lions or working on a new sewing project.
Jessi’s favorite piece of gardening advice is simple and heartfelt: plant what you want to eat. And if she had to choose a favorite vegetable to grow, it would be green beans, because watching each distinct stage of their life cycle as they climb a trellis never fails to inspire wonder.
