University of Illinois Extension serving Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties offers seeds, plants, and education to any community member who wishes to grow a vegetable or flower Giving Garden.
Participants receive materials for free when they pledge to donate 50% of their garden harvest to a community member in need. Every gardener in the community is welcome to participate, whether they have an acre to grow in or a single container.
Throughout the growing season, Illinois Extension staff will deliver a monthly educational email newsletter to help community gardeners grow a healthy, productive garden. Monthly guidance will include research-based information and videos on on-site preparation, garden management, donation of a harvest, and seed saving. Gardeners will also have direct access to a garden donation tracker in the monthly emails – a tool that helps Illinois Extension report the incredible impact of each Giving Garden contribution.
- Vegetable Kits: Plants for tomatoes (2 slicers, 2 cherries), plants for peppers (2 bells, 2 jalapenos) & cucumber seeds
- Flower Kits: Seed for sunflowers, zinnias, calendula, cosmos, dill, and cornflower
For questions or inquiries regarding the Giving Garden Program, please contact the McLean County Illinois Extension office by contacting (309) 663-8306 or by reaching out to the following staff members
Brittnay Haag, Horticulture Educator, bhaag@illinois.edu
Kayla Green, Extension Program Coordinator, kgree6@illinois.edu