On Thursday, January 22, neighbors gathered at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Farm for the first Gardens for Everyone Workshop of the year. Hosted by Monika Rajagopalan, Community Gardens Manager, and Lynn Conyers, Gardens for Everyone Coordinator, the workshop invited community members to get their hands dirty and learn how to build raised-bed gardens from the ground up.
This workshop builds on something we have already seen work. When we hosted a Gardens for Everyone Workshop last year, the response from the community was clear. Neighbors in attendance were engaged, asked questions, and left feeling empowered. We saw how equipping people with hands-on skills amplifies our impact far beyond a single garden box. That experience shaped the decision to grow this model and make it a core part of this program.
While our Gardens for Everyone program has evolved, these workshops deepen our commitment to bringing homegrown produce to the community. By teaching neighbors how to build, place, and maintain their own raised beds, we expand the impact of our work and show our neighbors how capable they truly are. Through building a garden box side by side at the farm, they turned new skills into long-term change. For some, it was their first time using power tools. For others, it was the first step toward growing fresh food at home.
Rajagopalan stated “When you’re just starting out, the concept of growing your own food can feel like a big undertaking. Everybody who came to the workshop was interested in gardening, but they had some questions about getting started. It was really rewarding to be there to help people work through some of those uncertainties so that they left feeling more confident. Several participants went home with materials to build their own raised bed, so after attending the workshop they’re ready to take that next step.”
Building pathways to self-sufficiency is essential to the Food Shuttle’s mission. Long-term stability comes from equipping neighbors with tools, knowledge, and confidence they can carry forward. A raised bed garden can transform a backyard or shared space into a reliable source of fresh produce and pride. And the support does not end once the box is built. As neighbors begin growing, they know they can count on the Food Shuttle year-round for guidance, tips, and encouragement. From planting to harvest, we are here to help gardens thrive.
The workshops offer optional take home Garden Box Kits, which include precut pressure treated lumber and all necessary hardware to build a 4 ft by 8 ft by 20 in raised garden bed. Each kit comes with step-by-step assembly instructions to reinforce the skills participants gain.
Gardens for Everyone Workshops are just getting started, and this is an opportunity to bring something lasting to your community. If you see a need for hands-on growing opportunities where you live, work, or gather, we would love to partner with you. Hosting a workshop is a powerful way to equip neighbors with the tools and confidence to grow their own food.
To learn more about hosting a Gardens for Everyone Workshop, contact us at info@foodshuttle.org. If you are looking to attend an upcoming workshop, visit foodshuttle.org/events for dates and details. Stay tuned for more chances to learn, build, and grow together.