In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased need, a record number of communities across Iowa are slated to receive Growing Together Mini-Grants through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s SNAP-Education program. Sanborn – and O’Brien County, as a whole – is one of the communities benefitting from this funding. 
A total of 36 projects are being funded in Iowa, with the goal of increasing food security and promoting healthy food access.
“Our O’Brien County Master Gardeners will be using the grant funding to expand the Sanborn Community Gardens by adding raised bed,” said Kate Stewart, O’Brien County Master Gardener Program Coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Stewart said that as part of the grant, Sanborn Community Gardens will continue to donate excess produce to area food pantries, local youth will help maintain the garden, and a container gardening class will be offered during the summer.
Growing Together mini grants have been funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s SNAP-Education since 2016. Iowa was the first state to create this model, which has been replicated in Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Wyoming and Montana. Over the past six years, the mini grants have resulted in food donations of over 532,000 pounds.
Master Gardener volunteers plant donation gardens with partners, support their community with plant-a-row programs to get more produce into food pantries, and glean fresh produce from farmers markets and home gardeners. All produce is donated to local food pantries, food banks and other food distribution sites.
“Our O’Brien County Master Gardeners take great pride in their Growing Together grant project,” Stewart said. “They work hard and their impact is being seen across O’Brien County as they continue to educate others about horticulture and fight food insecurity in our area.”
For more information about the O’Brien County Master Gardener program, call 712-957-5045, email xobrien@iastate.edu or visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/obrien/master-gardener-program.