What Have We Accomplished? 

Food Donations: In 1994 Garden Harvest, Inc. grew and gave away 35,277 pounds of fresh, organically-grown, top-quality produce. By 1996, our production/donations soared to 205,270 pounds of fruits and vegetables given to 46 organizations who, in turn, served approximately 800,000 individuals. And by 2001, production had again  increased to 355,000 lbs. donated to 105 agencies. Since then, our production & donations have averaged around 300,000 lbs. a year. In addition to that, in 2003, Garden Harvest began its egg distribution program, giving out that year several hundred dozen eggs from its free-range, pastured chickens. In 2005, we gave out 1000 dozen eggs, and in 2006, we gave out well over our goal of 5000 dozen.  In April of 2007, we will be acquiring enough additional young hens to give out a total of 10,000 dozen by the end of the year!

We have planted and maintained a total of 700 fruit trees, which once fully mature will bear annually 100 - 150 lbs. apiece.  We have peaches, pears, cherries, plums, and paw paws.

Food Distribution  We have established an efficient system of food distribution to over 100 soup kitchens, homeless shleters, and emergency food pantries throughout Maryland. To concentrate as much as possible on food production, we have the recipient agencies pick up the food at the farm rather than deliver.  Since not every agency can afford to pick up, we have formed partnerships with some of the larger agencies that make deliveries to the smaller agencies for us.  Rock Church's A Can Can Make A Difference, for example, delivers our food to a network of 128 small emergency food agencies.  I Can't; We Can distributes Garden Harvest food to all theagencies in the Park Heights area.


Education Program: Supported by the USDA and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Garden Harvest has established its Education Program including the Children's Program serving local schools and after school programs, and the Young Adults Program, training youth in sustainable agriculture and in construction (carpentry, masonry, tile work).  Local as well as out of state Youth participate in this program. In addition, as part of our animal donation program, we offer training in animal husbandry to individuals from the rural counties of Appalachia so that they can learn how to produce their own food and possibly have a business selling that which they don't consume..

Children's Garden: We have established a quarter acre Children's Garden, used in field workshops for the school and after school children that participate in the Children's Education Program.  This garden  is a microcosm of the entire farm with plantings of vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers.

Volunteers: We have developed a solid and continuously expanding volunteer base of support, now over 5000 people contributing over 19,000 hours each year.  There are a number of reasons why volunteering at Garden Harvest is so popular: 

• The results of the volunteers' efforts are so tangible and the impact that their participation has is so clearly measurable

• The work environment is  beautiful, uplifting, healthy, and safe, a place where families can perform meaningful service together;

• The capacity for large groups is virtually unlimited; with 100 acres, Garden Harvest often has several large groups working together, up to 600 at a time'
  The location, only 20 miles from Baltimore, is very convenient

• Because so many different groups work together,  volunteering at Garden Harvest is a great way to meet people with similar interests;
  
  Long Term Revenue Sources: 

•  We have  launched Garden Harvest's Internet based flower business, Bountiful Bouquets, which will be a major long term revenue source for the hunger program

• In addition, we are starting up our weekly Fundraising Day in 2004.

• We offer the convenience of online donations through our secure payment gateway;

• People can support our "Milk for the Hungry" program by participating in our "Adopt a Goat" program;

• People can support our Rural Hunger Program by donating a farm animal to a family in need; 

Donate a
Farm Animal to give
Milk & Eggs
to a Needy Family
 

Purchase our
Giant Food Cards:
Use in place of money at any Giant  Store:
5% of your purchase will go back to
Garden Harvest!