Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce it has received a $15,000 grant from Legacy Fund, the community foundation serving Hamilton County and an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation. This grant will support the District’s Urban Agriculture program.
The Urban Agriculture program was started in 2016 with a grant from the National Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The program builds on the success of the urban conservation program and supports backyard and community gardens across Hamilton County. Technical assistance is provided to help county residents start new vegetable and fruit gardens and improve their existing gardens. Comprehensive education and outreach programs are focused on alleviating food insecurity in the county and connecting residents with local food. Donations of fresh vegetables to local food pantries are supported by pairing businesses, community gardens, and service organizations with food pantries.
The Hamilton County Garden Network was created to support and connect the growing number of community gardens across the county.
“We are thrilled to receive this support from the Legacy Fund. We’ve made great strides combating food insecurity and supporting urban agriculture in the county with this program and these funds are critical to continuing that mission,” said Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist.
More information about the services provided by the Soil and Water Conservation District, including info on the Urban Agriculture program and Hamilton County Garden Network can be found online at www.hamiltonswcd.org.
Legacy Fund, the community foundation serving Hamilton County and a Central Indiana Community Foundation affiliate, granted $124,500 to 16 not-for-profit organizations in May. Grants from Legacy Fund are made possible by the unrestricted Endowment for Hamilton County. Learn more at www.cicf.org.