Local Organizations

Poplar Village Gardens is a three acre permaculture food forest located in the Poplar Village neighborhood of Fort Wayne. We follow organic growing practices to grow a variety of produce to distribute to our neighbors and our neighborhood food bank.

We deliver practical, research-based information that transforms lives and livelihoods. We will be a leader in providing relevant, high-impact educational programs that transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals and communities in Indiana and the world.

The University of Saint Francis offers a B.A. in Environmental Science with a Concentration Sustainable Food Systems. This new concentration responds to the world’s growing need for Sustainable Food Systems and includes a focus on urban agriculture. Students visit local farms to learn about a variety of cutting-edge agricultural practices which highlight the intersection of environmental health, human health, and economic growth.

Dirt Wain turns residential and commercial food scraps into nutrient rich dirt. We are committed to community-scale composting—which means finding solutions that meet various communities’ needs. Composting reclaims nutrients and puts them back in circulation in the communities where food scraps are generated. We offer individual, business, and community subscriptions for food scrap pick up and drop off.

Community Harvest works with and collaborates with local retailers, farms, and other community partners in order to meet the needs of kids, seniors, Veterans, and families experiencing hunger. Last year, 13.8 million pounds were distributed to nearly 85,000 people throughout the northeast Indiana region, and over one-third of all food distributed was fresh produce.

Dick’s Organics is a nonprofit farm. We grow veggies and fruit for donation only. We utilize volunteers to plant and harvest our crops and receive seed and tool donations.

The Merry Lea Sustainable Farm is an educational, demonstration, and experimental farm specializing in perennial agriculture, carbon farming, regenerative agriculture, food literacy, and environmental education.

Giving Gardens of Indiana fosters healthy communities by empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to produce sustainable, organic gardens - starting from the ground up. Our goal is to involve local residents, schools, and businesses in the hopes of forming a more tight-knit, healthy community.