Garden JOY

I was inspired to co-found OVYG  in August of 2016. Located in the agriculturally rich central valley, I recognized a strong need for a free, hands on edible education program for the youth in our area. I've always been passionate about nutrition, education, and helping others, so beginning the garden was a natural way to combine my interests and serve the community.

When we began, we planned some crafts, bought some plants and seeds, started a Facebook page and began renting two garden beds at our local community garden, crossing our fingers that maybe 10 or so of our friends might show up to support us. We were pleasantly surprised (and maybe a little shocked) that almost 70 children came to our first meeting!  We built up a volunteer team of other moms and grandmothers who also wanted to foster in children a love of gardening, healthy eating and community service. Hundreds of children were coming from our area and neighboring cities, planting and harvesting with us. They willingly tried the vegetables they helped grow, and eagerly sent off the majority of it to local food pantries, and over 800 pounds was donated in 2 years.

In 2017, we became a non-profit organization.  Since then, we realized that we'd outgrown our space where we began. We dreamed of a bigger space that could be used for gardening that would allow us to grow and donate more fresh produce, and also for community classes and events that would promote wellness . Around that time, we learned that Studio Joy was hoping to put a garden in the empty lot behind their space. Our partnership has become the beginning of a new chapter, Studio Joy Garden. The garden is a one acre community space, a place where families and friends can come together and enjoy, all while making a tangible impact on hunger and improving nutritional awareness.  Our work is rooted in love and we hope to cultivate community and joy!