Main Campus: 120 Aldersgate Way, Franklin
The Giving Garden was formed in 2009 after Franklin First UMC acquired 107 acres of land to build our new campus. While planning for the construction of our future home, this beautiful land located on the site of a former horse farm lay awaiting God’s guidance. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a small group of church members saw the potential for using this land to grow healthy produce for our hungry neighbors. From a humble start as a small pumpkin patch, the Giving Garden has expanded into a five-acre operation producing a variety of seasonal produce including potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, greens, onions, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, corn, and more!
The Mission of the Giving Garden is to share the bounty of God’s gifts by feeding our neighbors and those in need.
We partner with over 15 community partners to deliver organically grown produce. But a lot more than food is shared in this garden. While working together to pull weeds, plant seeds or harvest vegetables, relationships are formed. Groups from all over the country come to serve in this garden alongside our church members. Master Gardeners from the community find a place to use their gifts for God’s Kingdom. People of all ages and from all backgrounds work alongside one another in this shared work of tending to the land. The Giving Garden is a beautiful place to be and many find that the fruits of this garden include peace, joy, hope, friendship, belonging, and so
much more.
God’s Little Acre is a small portion of the Giving Garden designated as a place to educate children on the gifts of God’s creation and how to love and care for the land one seed or plant at a time. Children in the FFUMC Preschool are welcomed to God’s Little Acre regularly to experience the beautiful weather and learn more about this lovely piece of land.
Giving Garden on the Go is yet another way our church seeks to feed the hungry in our community. Members of this team work with the farmers of the Franklin Farmers Market to collect unsold produce. Along with Giving Garden produce, these items are taken to local neighborhoods and shared freely. This work has not only put healthy food into the hands of even more of God’s children, but Giving Garden on the Go has continued the work of building relationships and loving others in the name of Jesus Christ.
Want to help in the Giving Garden or with Giving Garden on the Go? There is ALWAYS work, and you don’t have to be a skilled gardener to help! Work in the garden includes serving as a greeter, helping to plant, prune, water, weed, and more. We need folks to use mowers and weed eaters. You can even come and arrange flowers to be shared with the community or even help distribute and deliver produce to one of our many partners!