Our History

Growing Hope grew out of the efforts of the Perry Learning Garden, begun in 1999 and originally conceived of as a single school and neighborhood garden site. After the PLG was established interest bloomed throughout Ypsilanti. Perry Learning Garden volunteers and leader Amanda Edmonds partnered with other organizations to create more gardens in the community and to expand garden-based learning and extra-curricular programs.

In 2003, we decided to bring all of these efforts together and incorporate as the nonprofit Growing Hope to continue and expand these efforts in a more unified manner. Growing Hope is a nonprofit incorporated with the State of Michigan and is is a federally recognized, 501c3 tax-exempt status organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Growing Hope is committed to social and environmental sustainability through organic gardening, diversity in our communities, and environmental justice.