In October, H.O.P.E. Gardens welcomed a very special visitor to the Godfrey Elementary garden, Senator Roger Victory. For the past ten years, Roger has been donating pumpkins from his family farm, Victory Farms, a 1,300-acre operation in Hudsonville. This week, he finally got to see firsthand how those pumpkins and his support have helped our students grow.
As he walked through the garden beds, Senator Victory couldn’t help but notice the transformation that happens when students step into the garden. “It’s amazing how peaceful they become out here,” he said with a smile, watching a group of students quietly digging and observing worms in the soil.
He paused to admire the beauty of the space, the vibrant colors, the fluttering pollinators, and the thriving plants rooted in rich, dark soil. “This soil looks incredible,” he remarked, clearly impressed when we told him the garden has never been tilled. It has been built up naturally over time, layer by layer, through compost, mulch, and care.
One of his biggest surprises came when he spotted an unusual fruit among the vines: the pink banana squash, also known as North Georgian squash. “You’re growing this here?” he said, laughing in delight. “That’s not something you see every day!”
It was a joyful visit, a celebration of connection between local agriculture and education. We’re grateful for Senator Victory’s decade of generosity and his continued belief in what a garden can do, not just for the soil, but for the hearts and minds of every child who steps into it.
Thank you, Senator Victory, for helping us grow hope one pumpkin and one child at a time.