Impact and Future Vision
June 2025-May 2026
EXPANDING OUR IMPACT
As our organization continues to grow, we are focused on expanding our impact in several key areas:
Provide Year-Round Resources
In addition to our growing season activities, we are expanding winter and off-season opportunities for learning and community engagement.
72 community members enjoyed workshops including winter sowing of native seeds, fruit tree pruning, and an introduction to vegetable gardening.
50 participants engaged in discussion at the Garden and Green Living Expo in Madison.
50 students and community members stopped by to chat and get free seeds during the Eco Fair at UW-Stevens Point.
Support First-Time Gardeners
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of growing food.
The Growing Together Program empowered new gardeners with a hands-on opportunity to grow their own food alongside gardeners of all experience levels in the downtown Stevens Point greenhouse.
Free Gardening 101 Workshop, designed specifically for beginning gardeners, was provided as part of our food equity initiatives.
Increase Educational Opportunities
Our main Growing Together program offers 307 varieties of 14,000 plants to 90 members and the surrounding community. Our workshops also connect people with food, gardening, self-sustainability, and ecological stewardship.
Winter Sowing Native Plants
Spring Fruit Tree Pruning and Care
Gardening 101
Tea and Tincture Making, and more
Host Community-Focused Events
Community gathering remains at the heart of our work.
The Annual Seed Share provides free seeds and family-friendly activities, as well as an opportunity to collaborate with other community organizations.
Our Garden Tour and Harvest Share bring gardeners together to focus on local food, learn from one another, and strengthen community connections.
The Gratitude Gathering celebrates growing plants and growing community.
Donations benefited:
Giving Gardens of Portage County
Stevens Point Area Public School District
Children's Discovery Center
UWSP Students for Sustainability
Primates Incorporated (primate sanctuary)
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County
Tomorrow River Community Charter School
Stevens Point Area YMCA
Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church (for Boston School Forest)
Donate Plants, Seeds, and Materials
Access to gardening resources remains a core part of our mission.
Donated approximately 700 plants to schools, community organizations, and nonprofits.
Distributed over 1,000 seed packets through the Seed Share, local library seed bank, Process Block Party, and Eco Fair at UW–Stevens Point.
Gifted gardening materials to local educators during Teacher Appreciation initiatives.
“This was a rewarding experience, and I am taking away valuable knowledge from my time with the Growing Collective. I’ve learned that it takes a village to create and promote change."
~ Taylor, 2026 student
Engage Students
We are committed to creating meaningful educational experiences for students of all ages.
37 students from UW–Stevens Point classes and student groups gained skills in the greenhouse.
UWSP students gained 60 practicum hours.
50 attendees engaged at the UWSP Eco Fair.
8 elementary-aged Girl Scouts practiced gardening skills in the greenhouse.
These experiences provided students with opportunities to learn about food systems, sustainability, ecological stewardship, and community engagement through hands-on participation.
Strengthen Community Partners
Our impact is made possible through collaboration with these additional community partners:
Wild Ones of Central Wisconsin
PartnersHP (Giving Gardens)
Recycling Connections
UW-Stevens Point
Aging and Disability Center of Portage County
“As an Indigenous Mayan living in Central Wisconsin, my heart and hands are always trying to find ways to connect back to Mesoamerica. This year I obtained the Mexican (Tithonia) Torch Flower from the Growing Collective’s annual plant sale. The Tithonia is irresistible to pollinators, especially the Monarch Butterfly. Thank you!"
~ Maria, 2026 Plant Sale Customer
Grow Culturally Significant Foods
We are committed to increasing access to culturally meaningful foods and plants that reflect the interests and traditions of our community.
Ensure Food Access: Gardening for All Initiative
Making sure that gardening and healthy food are accessible to everyone is one of our core values. Through our Gardening for All initiative, we work to reduce financial barriers and create equitable access to gardening education and resources. This year we provided:
$140 worth of complimentary Growing Collective memberships for income-qualified households through support from a PartnersHP grant.
3,162 plants for participants in our Growing Together program.
50% discount on workshop registrations for income-qualified individuals.
Free Gardening 101 workshop open to the entire community.
Free seeds for over 130 community members through our annual Seed Share.
Affordable pricing for over 1,000 community members at our annual Plant Sale.
