Katie'S Krops

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“In 2019 we were faced with our biggest challenge. After a decade of growing an end to hunger in our flagship garden, we were compelled to leave. The departure from the land that we had cultivated, fenced and improved for ten years was abrupt and unexpected due to a change in administration at the school. We were heartbroken but our biggest concern? How would we make up for the loss of crops? How could we ensure that we would be able to cover the loss of over 2,000 pounds of produce and make sure that families struggling with hunger had healthy fresh food? Our south carolina growers rose to the challenge and immediately expanded their gardens to make up for the loss as we carefully explored our options for a new space to grow. We put a plan in place and started new gardens at palmetto scholars academy, reeves elementary, and the summerville ymca. Community members came out to triple the growing space at the katie's krops spann elementary school garden. At dubose middle school, we were able to increase their average summer harvest four times over by engaging the community and involving stem club students in weekly garden activities. Working together, we filled the void the loss of the flagship garden left as we worked to find our new home base. We have secured a new location for our flagship garden and have broken ground crossroads community church, where we have had a smaller katie's krops garden for five years, will now be home to our flagship garden. Our new garden will be nearly double the size of our previous garden. We will plant a fruit orchard, build an outdoor classroom, construct raised bed planters, and have meeting space to teach classes. We are excited to have home school groups, military volunteers, and community members join us in ending hunger in our community. We are excited about the future and very proud of our efforts in 2019. This year our growers have donated over 29,000 pounds of produce we have engaged thousands of children in service and provided healthy fresh food to people struggling with food insecurity. Our youth volunteers have prepared over 6,000 meals for people in need. They have engaged their community by speaking to other students and hosting farmers markets. They are making their communities healthier.”