The Giving Garden
The Giving Garden was formed in 2009, after Franklin First UMC acquired 107 acres of land to build a new campus. As planning began, this beautiful land, filled with nutrient rich soil from being the site of a former horse farm, lay dormant. That’s when a few church members had an idea. While we are waiting for a building, why not use the land to grow food for others? Thus, The Giving Garden was born. From a humble start of a small pumpkin patch, the garden has grown into a five-acre operation that produces a wide variety of produce and is managed and staffed only by volunteers.
Since 2010, The Giving Garden has regularly distributed more than 40,000 pounds (that’s over 20 tons) of produce each year as well as hundreds of cut flower arrangements from the flower and herb gardens. All produce is donated and delivered to partner organizations. Through these partnerships,The Giving Garden is able to feed hundreds of people in the local community who may not otherwise have access to healthy produce.
The Giving Garden promotes sustainable gardening practices like composting, mulching and using only organic products for pest and disease control.
The Giving Garden ON THE GO
The Giving Garden has a unique partnership with several of the farmers at the Franklin Farmers Market to receive “end of the day” produce as the market closes. Now, this abundance will be delivered directly to select neighborhoods in Franklin in a “pop up” style free market to those in that community that we call The Giving Garden ON THE GO (GGOTG).
How Does the GGOTG work?
The Giving Garden On The Go is a community-wide program. Anyone from any neighborhood can drop by for free food. For simplicity, we are at the same location each week for the entire season. Our location for 2022 is the corner of 700 W. Meade. This is the entrance to the Franklin Estates Mobile Home Park #1
Giving Garden On The Go is free with no strings attached. Just another way we are caring for our community.
Our mission...to share the bounty of God’s gifts by feeding our neighbors and those in need.
Come and Serve During the Week
Go Into our Neighborhoods with Giving Garden On The Go
Join Us In The Garden…No Experience Required!
The History of the Franklin First UMC Main Campus & The Giving Garden
The 107 acres of the Franklin First UMC Main Campus was originally settled in 1799 by Daniel McMahon and was a land grant for service in the Revolutionary War. The site was also farmed for row crops after World War II. In the 1950’s it was a horse farm and held single buggy cart racing with a half-mile oval track, which still exists today. The historic house on at it’s center was built circa 1924.
Assist in the greenhouse growing plants from seeds. Work in the garden planting, pruning, watering, weeding, etc…
Pick and arrange herbs and flowers. Harvest, weigh and sort vegetables for delivery. Pickup surplus vegetables at the Franklin Farmers Market.
Deliver vegetables to distribution partners. Build relationships with partner organizations. Attend potluck meals and build relationships
Learn sustainable gardening from our Master Gardeners. Bring children out to learn and discover how food is grown.