AnnuAl RepoRt q 2016 q

Transcription

1 AnnuAl RepoRt q 2016 q

2 Dear Neighbor... Nine years ago, a small group of us had an idea: Let s do something. Instead of wringing our hands over all the world s problems, let s use them. Let s start a garden, grow food, and give it away to people who need it. As you can see in the photo, we had an idea and a piece of land but we didn t even have a name! My, oh my. Who d have guessed? So many people got excited about the chance to pitch in and help that, in eight growing seasons, we ve given away over 125,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce... taught hundreds of people how to garden... helped groups all over the country start giving gardens of their own... and more (as you ll see in this report). Hundreds of people get their hands gritty in the garden each year, growing food and community. It s beautiful, meaningful, useful work. YOU can be part of it. Come out to the garden it s absolutely beautiful and pitch in. Help us financially (we grow food, but we don t grow money: Donations are what make all this good work possible). Join us. You will help people eat and eat better. You will help people learn do-for-yourself skills. And you will help all of us serve each other. We would love to have you. Come. Help us all grow this garden together. Pat Stone, Chairman of the Board q the lord s AcRe q is A diverse And open garden that AddResses the many types of hunger through caring service, And the growing And sharing of food.

3 q 2016 TLA Program Impact & Highlights q More than 500 volunteers, including 26 community groups and 27 SPROUTS Program children (3-8 years old) and their parents, found a space to learn and work for the good of their community, contributing 2,840 hours worth $66, tons of produce grown in the garden and worth $36,075 provided more than 600 people with organic, just picked vegetables, berries and herbs each week during the growing season and helped 4 area nonprofits fulfill their missions. 4 interns learned gardening skills, experienced how collaboration and engagement can promote positive change and developed skills to foster dialogue and community wherever they go. We provided coaching and mentorship to support dozens of giving gardens and food distribution organizations & published Gardens that Grow and Give Away Food: A Training Manual to foster development of more giving gardens across the country. Pat Stone s article, Grow a Community Garden Project published in Mother Earth News (December 2016/January 2017) and a feature in Norman Wirzba s book, Way of Love (HarperCollins, 2016) exposed thousands of people to our work.

4 Training and community building through internship are key elements of our educational program. q In 2016, The Lord s Acre hosted four interns q I learned from the people around me what it means to give from the heart selflessly, tirelessly and without the desire for recognition or reward. I have been amazed and humbled by the ways that people contribute to TLA without being asked, week after week, and always with a smile. In the end, one of the most valuable things I learned from being here is some of what it takes to build a great community. It takes people willing to give of their time, talent and treasure. Their giving inspires others to do likewise. Generosity is contagious. From A Time to Reflect by Jackson Zimmerman, TLA intern A Time to Reflect was published in the Fairview Town Crier, November After his internship, Jackson plans to work at a monastery in San Luis Obispo, CA, to set up an organic, raised-bed food garden. Produce will be used to feed the monks, guests who come on retreat and those in need in the community. For years I had been feeling a pull toward work with gardens that seek to build community, address food insecurity, and contribute to ecological healing, and I had finally found the courage to step into my vocational longings...from that cold April morning [when I first arrived], everything in between has been a gift to me. Beyond the gift of the community of life and friends I ve received, these past months at TLA have also given me hands-on learning in the formative way of gift that is embodied so beautifully by this garden community. And that has changed me. From A Gifting Garden by Kevin Todd, TLA intern A Gifting Garden was published in the Fairview Town Crier, December Kevin finished his internship excited about the upcoming birth of his third child. In the future, he plans to re-engage with the food security work that so inspired him at TLA.

5 q Ongoing Programs & Partnerships q Food For Fairview, serving families (more than 260 people) per week Since 2009, we have collaborated to ensure fresh, organic produce is available to the individuals and families who rely on this food pantry. In 2014, we started setting up a market tent next door to the pantry on distribution days. Interns staff this portable farm stand, and it now serves as a gathering place where people can learn about the produce they are selecting, share food memories, exchange cooking tips and engage in caring conversation. Fairview Welcome Table, serving people every week We began partnering in 2011 to support this pay-as-you-can-what-you-can weekly lunch. We provide fresh produce. Their volunteers create a gourmet buffet and make it available to anyone. Share-the-Harvest Market, serving people per week Starting in 2013, this weekly market has facilitated community-wide sharing. Now operated in conjunction with the Fairview Welcome Table, TLA sets up the farm stand and stocks it with what s fresh from the garden; local gardeners donate from their home bounties. Everyone is welcome to share what they can and take what they need. Bounty & Soul Hundreds of people struggling with food insecurity in the past year received weekly classes in nutrition and food prep using food we donated marked the start of this growing partnership. Warren Wilson College Our continuing partnership provided two important educational opportunities in Graduate student Matt Kessler completed his thesis research exploring the impact of Korean Natural Farming on water infiltration, soil respiration rates and plant biomass at the garden, research he expects to publish soon. And Professor Matt Hoffman s Interfaith Dialogue class met regularly at the garden for 8 weeks to explore religion, faith and beliefs while doing hands-on work in a creative and community-building environment. WNC Gardens That Give To help strengthen the regional food-sharing system, as a founding member of this network, we continued to provide leadership and support in 2016, facilitating exchange of best practices, resources and experience. Green Opportunities Kitchen Ready Industries and its Southside Kitchen Nearly 60 people with barriers to employment have received culinary skills training since 2014, using produce we donate. In addition, students and graduates of the Kitchen Ready Program gain hands-on experience at Southside Kitchen using our produce to prepare meals which serve hundreds of people, free of charge, 4 days a week.

6 q 2016 Infrastructure Improvements q Each year we are indebted to area Eagle Scouts for their contributions. This year, 4 Eagle Scouts completed projects for the benefit of the TLA community: Work at the front kiosk beautified our entrance; A fire pit invites the sharing of stories on cool evenings; New wash tables make our work more efficient; The Hobbit house offers a quiet place for children (and adults) to relax and engage the imagination. We are especially happy to announce that intern bunkhouses were built at the garden. q In 2016, interns lived on TLA property for the first time! q

7 2016 TLA Board of Directors Pat Stone, Chair Steve Norris, Vice Chair Jack Harrison, Treasurer Robin MacCurdy, Secretary Said Abdallah, Board Member Louise Bijesse, Business Strategy Jackie Kiger, Nonprofit Management & Governance Jessica Molina, Board Member Jen Rattigan, Board Member Susan Sides, Executive Director Susan Sides received Give!Local Asheville s 2016 Julian Award honoring dedicated nonprofit leaders in Western North Carolina 2016 Financial Information Grants 7% Events 14% Fundraising 8% Individuals & Businesses 79% Administration 33% Program 59% REVENUE EXPENSES

8 The Lord s Acre 26 Joe Jenkins Rd / PO Box 271 Fairview, NC thelordsacre.org info@thelordsacre.org q The Lord s Acre q was named after a renowned Great Depression Era share-what-you-grow project. Today s Lord s Acre has no religious affiliation.