Rooted in this town
We are a volunteer-powered nonprofit that believes everyone deserves fresh food and a place to grow it.
How Green Acre grew
In the spring of 2010, a retired botanist named Walt Hendricks asked the city for permission to plant tomatoes on a vacant lot on Packard Street. Twelve neighbors showed up the first weekend with shovels.
That lot became our first garden, and word spread. Today we steward six gardens and partner with nine schools, a senior center and two food pantries.
We run on volunteers, small grants and a lot of compost. Our job is to make it easy to grow something good.
What we cultivate
Everyone belongs
Plots are sliding-scale and open to every neighbor.
Grow it right
We garden organically and teach soil care.
Share the harvest
Food is meant for the table, not the compost bin.
Learn by doing
Our best lessons happen in the dirt.
How we got here
A few moments that shaped who we are today.
The Packard Street lot
Twelve neighbors plant the first beds.
School Gardens begins
We partner with our first elementary school.
Compost Workshop
Our Saturday series launches and fills every week.
6,500 pounds donated
Gardeners share a record harvest with local pantries.
Who tends the gardens
FounderWalt Hendricks
Still the first one at the gate on workdays.
Garden DirectorNaomi Park
Manages plot assignments and the six garden leads.
Education LeadCarlos Iñiguez
Runs school gardens and Saturday workshops.
Volunteer CoordinatorJune Whitaker
Keeps 200 volunteers watered, fed and smiling.
Our garden rules
- Fresh food should be within walking distance.
- Soil is a living thing worth caring for.
- Gardens are classrooms for all ages.
- Share more than you take.
- Every neighbor has something to grow.
Plant a seed for your neighborhood
Come see the beds, say hi to the bees and find out how easy it is to get started.