Social Enterprise Program

Our social enterprises, including a demonstration urban market garden and hoophouse at the Growing Hope Center, raised bed kits, and the sale of plants and other garden products show how Growing Hope is working to be more financially self-sufficient. Social enterprise means earning revenue in a way that is also furthering our mission.  At the same time, we're demonstrating how gardens and urban agriculture can lead to viable income for families and providing fresh food during an extended season and needed products in our local marketplaces.  

Growing Hope Center Hoophouse & Market Gardens: Our 1.4 acre demonstration urban farm located on Michigan Avenue in Ypsi showcases how urban lots can maximize production for income. Our 3000 square foot unheated hoophouse exemplifies growing food 10 months of the year, and acts as a hands-on learning opportunity.  Our market gardens provide fresh produce to our Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers' Market, the Ypsilanti Food Co-op, and area restaurants.

Hopeful Herbs & Plant Sales: We earn revenue to support our mission through annual spring and summer plant sales and by selling our herbs in local marketplaces.  Hopeful Herbs is working to model garden-based businesses so that others can see how food & gardens (and at a larger-scale, agriculture) are viable opportunities in the green economy.

Raised Beds: One of our most popular products-- our four by four foot raised bed kids (lovingly referred to as Four Squares) helps people get growing in a simple and affordable way.  We train volunteers to help us build the kits, thereby training people in how to make them themselves. It's one of the many ways we're working to help people overcome the barriers to growing and accessing healthy food.