Program

Growing Hope

FARM & GARDENS

We support people of all ages to grow, prepare, and eat nourishing food through hands-on educational opportunities at our urban farm and in the community. Through workshops, trainings, and field trips, we educate youth, adults, and seniors who have a range of gardening experience and skills. We are also active in school, community, and home gardens throughout Ypsilanti. 

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Demonstration Gardens

Growing Hope’s Urban Farm provides an educational and demonstration space where people of all ages and backgrounds learn about, grow, and prepare nourishing food together.

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Home Vegetable Garden Program

We provide working class Ypsilanti residents with free raised bed gardens, along with compost, seedlings and seeds to start their own home garden.

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FARM volunteerism

There’s plenty to do on the Growing Hope Urban Farm and volunteers assist us every step of the way. Learn More

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community compost

Did you know that it takes twenty-two years for a head of lettuce to decompose in a landfill after you’ve chucked it into the trash? Let’s become a total food-waste-diversion city together! 

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tool lending library

The Growing Hope Tools & Equipment Lending Library is designed to make various tools and implements accessible to local producers and landowners. The tools & equipment in the rental program are intended for food production. Learn More

Your Dollars Empower People to Grow their Own Food

Our Farm & Garden programs provide community support for Ypsilanti area residents, schools, and community centers with the gardening knowledge to create and expand their own gardens as well as educate those around them. Home and community gardens help residents have access to more fresh vegetables, save money on groceries, and have agency over their own personal wellness goals. Please consider donating to our Farm & Garden programs to help us continue to support people of all ages to grow and prepare their own fresh food.

SUPPORT
How it Works

COMMUNITY COMPOST

  • sign up online
  • collect your food-scraps at home
  • bring food scraps to the Ypsilanti Farmers Market
  • exchange your food scraps for a clean bucket
  • reduce waste and nourish the environment!
  • optional: visit the Growing Hope Urban farm and participate in a compost skill share workshop

NEED A BUCKET?

For a small fee, Growing Hope has limited buckets available for compost collection

What’s Compostable?

  • Acceptable: Fruit and vegetable scraps, Baked goods, Tea bags, Coffee grounds, Eggshells
  • Not acceptable: Meat, Bones, Dairy, Poo

You’ll get more guidance after signing up, but a good rule of thumb is: if Nature made it, it’s probably compostable.

SIGN UP TODAY!

Did you know that it takes twenty-two years for a head of lettuce to decompose in a landfill after you’ve chucked it into the trash? Let’s become a total food-waste-diversion city together!

Commercial Services

CLEAN, TIMELY AND COMMUNITY BENEFITING.

Local businesses in Ypsilanti deserve local solutions. We serve small businesses seeking to lower their food waste and reduce their carbon footprint. We work locally, so every dollar you spend with us stays in the community. That’s full circle! Services include weekly container replacement, composting education, and customer service when you need it. We use a sliding scale to ensure our services are equitable and available to every member of our community. Send an email to [email protected] to contact our team and learn more about composting at your place of work.

Please consider donating to us to help us continue to support people of every social status to divert food waste in our community. 

JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FOOD WASTE!

Home Vegetable Garden Program

The Home Vegetable Garden Program supports working class Ypsilanti area residents to garden at home. We provide participants with free garden beds or containers, horticultural education, connection with other gardeners, and mentors. Program participants receive free garden beds, compost, seedlings, seeds, and other tools and supplies. In addition to the materials, each gardener receives a mid-season visit from our staff, and the option of a seasoned garden mentor for additional support.


Gardening can provide so many different opportunities and benefits. On top of growing your own food, gardens can provide improvements to your mental and physical health, decrease grocery cost, opportunities for spending quality time with your family and so much more.


If you would are interested in joining the Home Vegetable Garden Program, please contact our Garden Manager, Ayanfe at [email protected] or apply online today! 

Home Vegetable Garden Mentorships

Mentors assist new gardeners in our Home Vegetable Garden Program in setting and reaching their garden goals through one-on-one coaching and sharing resources. Mentors will check in with their mentees, in person or virtually, twice a month during the growing season. Growing Hope will pair up mentees and mentors based on shared interests and skills.


If you would are interested in becoming a mentor please contact our Garden Manager, Ayanfe at [email protected] today! 

TOOL LENDING LIBRARY

Welcome To Growing Hope’s Tool & Equipment Lending Library!

The Growing Hope Tools & Equipment Lending Library is designed to make various tools and implements accessible to local producers and landowners. The tools & equipment in the rental program are intended for food production. We offer Hand Tools, DIY Resources, and larger Equipment rentals.


To Reserve Tools & Equipment:

  1. First, complete the membership form.
  2. If you’d like a printed copy or need help completing this form, please contact us at 734.786.8401.
  3. (Optional) Create an account on LendingEdge, and you’ll receive an email to confirm your account.
  4. You will not be charged unless you incur any fees.
  5. Go to the inventory page to see the tools and equipment available and make reservations.
  6. Schedule a time to pick up your tools.
  7. The tool lending library is available Mondays and Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m. or by appointment.
  8. Upon arrival, see a member of Growing Hope’s staff to visit the tool lending shed
  9. **Tools are due back in seven days unless other arrangements are made.

For questions or support with accounts or reservations, contact our farm team at 734-786-8401 or by emailing [email protected].

Tools & Equipment Wish List:

Want to support the Growing Hope Tool Lending Library? Please contact us if you are interested in donating equipment. Donations are tax-deductible. You can also make a financial gift online.

  • Post Driver
  • Walking Tractor
  • Tree planter
  • Roller crimper
  • Want to add to this list? Submit your request online.

If interested in donating, please contact us at 734-786-8401 or by emailing [email protected].

A wooden garage filled with lawn mowers and gardening tools.
A bunch of gardening tools are hanging on a rack in a shed.
A group of people are standing in front of a shed.
Growing Hope

FOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Growing Hope is a key player in growing our local food economy. We support startup food businesses and small farmers through the Growing Hope Incubator Kitchen, capacity building trainings, and by creating connections between local growers, buyers, and consumers. We participate in networks and coalitions that advocate for food systems.

KITCHEN INQUIRY FORM
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workshops

Growing Hope partners with local experts to provide free educational trainings for food entrepreneurs and farmers looking to start or scale up their food…

Learn More

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one for the growing hope incubator kitchen

The Growing Hope Incubator Kitchen provides an accessible space for startup food businesses looking to take their business to the next level. The licensed kitchen is open 24/7 to rent for affordable hourly rates and offers commercial-grade equipment.

Learn More

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Current makers

Check out the video below to learn more about one of our kitchen makers, Ferial Rewoldt, owner of Hummus Falafel, and how she uses the kitchen and the Ypsi Area Online Market to prep and sell her delicious Mediterranean food!

Learn More

How it Works

Workshops for Farmers & Food Businesses

Growing Hope partners with local experts to provide free educational trainings for food entrepreneurs and farmers looking to start or scale up their food…

LEARN MORE
Growing Hope

GROWING HOPE INCUBATOR KITCHEN

The Growing Hope Incubator Kitchen provides an accessible space for startup food businesses looking to take their business to the next level. The licensed kitchen is open 24/7 to rent for affordable hourly rates and offers commercial-grade equipment. Growing Hope helps our kitchen renters navigate food safety regulations, licensing and permitting, and facilitates connections to new retail markets.


Would you like to learn more about renting the Growing Hope Incubator Kitchen? Fill out our Kitchen Inquiry Form and we will be in touch!


Check out the video below to learn more about one of our kitchen makers, Ferial Rewoldt, owner of Hummus Falafel, and how she uses the kitchen and the Ypsi Area Online Market to prep and sell her delicious Mediterranean food!

Check out our current Incubator Kitchen Makers!

  • 24th Cheesecakerie

    A slice of cheesecake with whipped cream and jam on a white plate.

    24th cheesecakerie is a family owned cheesecake company that offers high quality cheesecakes.


    [email protected]


    Find them on Facebook and Instagram


    Learn more at www.24thcheesecakerie.com

  • Beara Bakes

    A person is holding a plate of croissants with powdered sugar on them.

    Beara Bakes is a small pop-up bakery located in Ypsilanti Michigan. They specialize in seasonal baked goods and strive to use local good ingredients. You can find them at their monthly bake sale to grab a box of curated baked goodies at Ann Arbor’s The Bar at 327 Braun Court. They also do pop-ups around the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area and whole-sale to local coffee shops.


    www.bearabakes.com

    [email protected]

    Find them on Instagram!

  • EK's Cheesecakes

    A close up of a cake with the letter e on it.

    EK’s Cheesecakes is a local cheesecakerie based in Ann Arbor that offers customizable made to order cheesecakes.


    [email protected]


    Find them on Facebook and Instagram

    Learn more at ekcheesecakes.com

  • Ellen's Fine Goods

    A three tiered wedding cake decorated with pink roses is sitting on a table.

    Ellen’s Fine Goods is a fledgling dessert and cake shop in Ypsilanti, Michigan.


    [email protected]


    Find them on Facebook and Instagram

    Learn more at ellensfinegoods.com

  • Humusfalafil

    A white plate topped with a row of stuffed grape leaves.

    Humusfalafil makes classic Mediterranean food from Turkey to Egypt to North Africa and Greece. You can find them at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, on the shelves of Argus Farm Stop and Sparrow Market in Kerrytown, as well as order their delicious food from the Ypsi Area Online Market.

    Find them on Facebook

  • JT's Nutri-feast

    A bottle of it 's gourmet nutritional yeast seasoning

    JT’s Nutri-feast makes gourmet vegan seasoning blends with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, as well as vegan deli selections, and vegan cheese sauces.


    Learn more at jtsnutri-feast.com

  • Mastodon Farms

    A herd of cows grazing in a field with a rainbow in the sky.

    Mastodon Farms is a Clayton, Michigan farm that grows produce and raises livestock on pasture with regenerative farming practices. They use our incubator kitchen for processing and packaging flour. 

     

    www.mastodonfarm.com

    [email protected]

    Find them on Facebook

  • No Label Juice

    Three bottles of juice with the number 5 on them

    No Label Juice produces fresh vegetable and fruit juice & smoothies that are 100% vegan, and made with no artificial syrups or powders.


    [email protected]

    Find them on Facebook and Instagram

  • Nora D’z

    A sandwich , fried shrimp , and a hamburger are shown in a collage.

    Nora D’z offers fresh salads, salmon burgers and salmon bites at their food stand. You can find them at various outdoor events around Washtenaw County, and they are available for catering for small local parties.


    [email protected]

    Find them on Facebook

  • Pizza Bobs

    A pizza shop with a sign that says pizza boss

    Pizza Bob’s offers pizza, salads, subs, and milkshakes! Their store is located in Ann Arbor, but they use our incubator kitchen to make canned salsa.


    [email protected]


    Find them on Facebook and Instagram

    Learn more www.pizzabobs.net

  • Pott Farms

    Programs

    Pott Farms is an ethical, kind, and restorative company committed to using regenerative practices to responsibly produce great CBD. 


    Pott Farms is an L3C (low-profit limited liability company) based in Washtenaw County Michigan. Their goal is to increase access to and understanding of hemp-based wellness products, and to produce those hemp products with the utmost care for the land and their community.


    [email protected]


    Find them on Facebook and Instagram

    Learn more at pottfarms.com

  • Queen's Sweet Treats

    A box of pink frosted cupcakes with pearls on top

    Queen’s Sweet Treats’ mission is to make life a little sweeter by providing the best quality baked goods that are fresh and bring your vision to life. They offer custom cakes, their signature cake push pops and more!


    [email protected]


    Find them on Facebook

    Learn more at at their Square site

  • Thrive Acai

    A group of people are standing in front of a food truck.

    Thrive Acai is Detroit’s premier stop for customizable acai and dragon fruit bowls.


    [email protected]


    Find them on Instagram

    Learn more at thrivebowldetroit.com

  • Triple Level Foods

    A variety of spices and vegetables in bowls and spoons on a table.

    Triple Level Foods works with local family-owned farms and food co-ops to bring quality products directly to their customers. All their foods are from local farms within 100 miles.


    Find them on Facebook

    Learn more at triplelevelfoods.com

Your Dollars Support Local Food Entrepreneurs

Growing Hope creates opportunities and resources for local food entrepreneurs to start or expand their business. Your dollars help to uplift these small businesses so that our local food system and economy thrive.

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL MARKETS
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