Growing Goodness: How A Camp Garden Impacts The Community
The Good Stuff Garden at Carson Simpson Farm is more than just a patch of dirt with plants; it’s a vibrant classroom where campers dig deep into the roots of sustainable farming. Thanks to the vision of Jess Curtis, this garden has blossomed into a space where kids learn firsthand where their food comes from, what it takes to grow fresh produce, and how small efforts can make a real difference in their community.
Jess dreamed of creating a hands-on educational experience for campers, teaching them sustainable gardening practices while fostering a sense of responsibility and care for the world around them. The garden doesn’t just benefit the campers, though. The produce harvested finds its way to local food banks, including the United Methodist Neighborhood Services (UMNS) in Philadelphia.
This year, Jess wanted to enhance the garden's layout to make it easier to start and maintain, and she started with thinking about setup costs. “I want to revamp the garden so it’s easier to navigate and be even more sustainable, especially focusing on how to make it easier to harvest and tend the garden during the hot summer months,” Jess shared. “It takes a lot of start-up to achieve these goals, and I thought it couldn’t hurt to write a letter to some local gardening companies and see what came of it.”
Jess reached out to more than a dozen companies, many of which shared similar goals: promoting sustainable practices, helping kids access gardening opportunities, and fostering community involvement. To Jess’s delight, several companies eagerly responded with generous contributions.
Renee’s Garden Seeds asked Jess for a list of specific seeds the garden needed and sent exactly what fit those needs. Eden Brothers provided a $100 gift card, allowing Jess to select additional seeds to round out the garden’s offerings. A wonderful mix of seeds also came from Baker's Creek Heirloom Seeds, Burpee Seeds and Plants, and Harris Seeds, further enriching the garden’s variety.
“I deeply appreciate all of the donations,” said Jess. “I got a bunch of seeds and could fill in the gaps with specific needs.” With this help, the garden is well-positioned to offer a wider selection of produce and have a bigger impact on the community.
If you’d like to support the Good Stuff Garden, you can help by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List. Or, if you’d like to learn more or get involved, reach out to us at office@csfarm.org. Every little bit helps our garden, our campers, and our community thrive!
Together, we’re growing something truly special.