The Growing and Growth Collective (GGC) was founded in June 2020 by a group of Near East Side residents concerned with concentrated poverty and food insecurity. GGC transformed into a network of volunteers and five green spaces, under the guidance of Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT), which leverages urban agriculture as a means of social action for improved health outcomes, and deepens community engagement and economic empowerment with Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) in mind. 

As a collective, GGC brings together novices, experts, and anyone in between. It helps community members build land-based skills, acquire and maintain property for personal sustenance and food-oriented entrepreneurial endeavors, and learn about the benefits of specific foods for good health. The gardens make fresh produce available to community members in a convenient and affordable way. Thank you for enabling GGC to build out model community gardens and make infrastructure enhancements that support the delivery of culturally relevant programming.

We are Better Together!

“PACT and GGC are helping to foster an atmosphere of empowerment through agriculture and land stewardship on the Near East Side that is resulting in palpable excitement. Neighbors are expressing gratitude for investments in community greenspaces and families are reaching out to get involved.”

—Jera Oliver, Volunteer

"The Growing and Growth Collective, the Greenway Community Garden and the Mamie Mack Community Garden have invested their time and expertise into their neighborhood to benefit their neighbors through urban agricultural education and outreach.  Funding to support infrastructure such as irrigation water and signage is a critical component to successful urban farming."

—Tim McDermott, DVM, OSU Extension Franklin Co. Educator