Program Structure

Horticulture Fellowship

The primary goal of this workforce development program is to reduce the barriers that prevent people who have experienced chronic homelessness from reaching their personal and professional goals. While participants receive education in horticulture, the program is intentionally not limited to those pursuing careers in farming or the horticulture industry. Much of the learning is transferable to a wide range of jobs and small businesses, and the skills related to growing food will serve participants throughout their lives.

We are currently designing the pilot phase of this program and hope to have it underway soon. If you would like to help, contact us using the link in the header. The program is a six-month, educational fellowship for individuals who have recently experienced chronic homelessness and are currently living in supportive housing. Participants receive workforce training and horticulture education, supported by instruction from a professor at an accredited community college or technical school. All learning takes place in community gardens and food forests, where participants engage in structured, hands-on service-learning activities.

Participants spend approximately 16 hours per week in educational programming focused on horticulture and work-readiness skills. Small cohorts of four participants are supported by a dedicated crew leader who serves as a mentor throughout the program. In addition to educational instruction, mentors help participants connect with community resources and social services that address barriers to stability, including financial literacy, mental health support, addiction recovery, document replacement, credit repair, and related services.

To ensure participants can fully engage in learning, the program provides a fellowship stipend, paid weekly, to help cover basic living expenses during the six-month period. The program is designed to support growth, dignity, and long-term stability—recognizing that education, supportive relationships, and practical skills are essential foundations for lasting change.

This program will be structured as an educational and service-learning fellowship.  It will last 24 weeks.  A stipend of $9600 will be paid for living expenses while participating in the program.  This will be issued in weekly installments of $400.

Community Gardens

The community gardens program will expand and maintain existing community gardens in Swannanoa and build new gardens on public and private land. The vision is to have 10 acres of garden space spread throughout the valley so that there is a community garden within walking distance of every resident. Volunteers will be pulled from residents of Swannanoa, students of nearby colleges, and visitors from around the country. Participants in the Horticulture Fellowship will use the gardens as their lab and classroom.

Produce from the gardens will be shared with the community through other nonprofit food distributions.