The success of Grow It Forward just keeps growing new roots and fresh blooms. The nonprofit, which runs a community garden, kitchen and food pantry, now has added a greenhouse to its operations to extend its programming year-round.
“I feel so fortunate we are able to do this,” said Amber Daugs, who launched and operates the organization. “It is truly a blessing — and a community effort.”
Financial help from the city of Manitowoc, a grant from the West Foundation and a whole lot of volunteer time and building supply donations helped to bring a vision of a greenhouse to the Community Garden area, to life, she said. A ribbon-cutting was held Thursday, and seedlings are already growing in their new home.
Grow It Forward plans to host a variety of educational programming in partnership with the city Parks & Recreation Department in the new space beginning in June, Daugs said. That could include lessons in identifying plants, how to grow from seeds, and ways to combat insect or disease problems. The city Parks & Recreation Department will provide garden resources and seeds.
“My goal has always been to show people that there are so many ways to eat healthy, and it doesn’t have to be complicated,” Daugs said.
This passion sprouted more than a decade ago for Daugs, starting when she was homeless in her 20s and needed to use a food pantry, which provided boxed rice, cereal, soups and canned vegetables. She had hoped to find healthier options and decided that once she improved her situation, she would work to provide fresh foods to people in need.
“When I started Grow It Forward seven years ago, I never imagined it would be where it is today,” she said. “I came from a dark time, to this. I think a lot about soil. Soil is dark, and when you are buried in it, it can be dark and cold. But it’s full of nutrients and helps a seed to germinate and grow, and then the plant pokes out of the soil into the sunlight and blossoms and grows and thrives. I think that’s something for everyone to think about.”
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