Bee Connected Community Spotlight

Growing Gardens is dedicated to cultivating community, improving food security, and fostering a deeper connection to the land.

Since 1998, Growing Gardens has been a leader in sustainable urban agriculture in Boulder County, providing regenerative agriculture education and fresh food to over 200,000 residents. Their mission is to empower people of all ages, abilities, and income levels by reconnecting them to local food systems through hands-on gardening, cooking, and nutrition education.

Each year, Growing Gardens:

• Donates roughly 20,000 pounds of fresh produce, plus thousands of plant starts and seeds, to those experiencing food insecurity.
• Welcomes over 4,500 preschool and elementary students to our farms for hands-on learning about how food grows.
• Engages 2,400+ volunteers to help cultivate and distribute produce to local food banks and low-income families.
• Supports over 800 community gardeners across seven locations, providing education and resources.
• Offers programs like the Food Project, which increases access to fresh food, seeds, and gardening education for low-income residents.
• Hosts weekly farm stands in Boulder and Longmont (accepts SNAP and Fruit & Veggie Vouchers).

They operate on three farms—including Boulder’s historic Hawthorn Farm and two Food Project Farms in Longmont—serve as hubs for education, food production, and community engagement. They also offer classes in sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, and nutrition, with some programs available in Spanish.

Get involved and support their mission by:

• Volunteering on the farm
• Shopping at their weekly farm stands
• Joining the Food Project Program for free seeds and seedlings
• Participating in community gardening
• Attending workshops and events
• Donate to help expand their impact

Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons, Colorado, is a nonprofit dedicated to caring for orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife from North of Pueblo to the Wyoming border. Since 1982, they have treated thousands of animals annually, aiming to rehabilitate and release them back into their natural habitats.

Donations are crucial, funding medical care, food, and habitat enrichment for the animals, as well as community outreach programs. Volunteers play a vital role by assisting with animal care tasks such as feeding and habitat preparation.

By supporting Greenwood through donations or volunteering, you can contribute to the conservation of Colorado's wildlife. 

Learn more and contribute here!