GROW

Mission

GROW (formerly the P-Patch Trust), builds healthy and diverse communities by:

1. Advocating for community gardeners and the growth and sustainment of p-patches, urban gardens, and open space. 
2. Providing opportunities for people to grow, share and prepare food
3. Working to alleviate hunger by managing the growing and distribution of produce to people in need
4. Acquiring and holding land for community gardens and urban farms

Description

GROW enables people to grow organic produce for themselves and their families and to be part of an inclusive neighborhood gardening community. It serves gardeners ranging from young adults and families to the elderly and those with special needs who cultivate handicapped-accessible plots. More than half the gardeners have below-median incomes, and GROW provides tools and seeds to be shared by those who need them.

The organization's primary goal is to enable more residents to garden by increasing the number of neighborhood gardens and providing organizational and financial support as needed. The 2014 name change (from the P-Patch Trust) reflects GROW's broadening impact in providing expertise and support: neighborhoods beyond Seattle now can receive assistance from GROW, as can Seattle community gardens and orchards not affiliated with the city's P-Patch Program.

Because it is a volunteer-driven organization, GROW is able to devote nearly 90 percent of its funds directly to projects and services for the 89 community gardens in Seattle. Among its services are training and support for the volunteer leaders at P-Patches, as well as the legal and fiscal arrangements and expertise that enable community gardening participants to raise funds to improve their sites. GROW can accept tax-deductible gifts of land for additional community gardening sites and presently owns or co-owns seven P-Patches -- ensuring those properties will be used for gardens in perpetuity.

Recognition

Gardeners are remarkably generous people, and many who have P-Patches help support GROW to ensure services are available for low-income plot-holders. P-Patch gardeners also demonstrate their caring for others by growing produce for the hungry in our city. In 2022, they donated more than 44,000 pounds of produce to Seattle food banks and feeding programs.