ABOUT US
Melanated Growers was originally created through a vision from our founder to gather melanated women who have taken to gardening for various reasons: food sovereignty, therapy, or even just a hobby, and do community work together to teach all aspects of growing to diverse populations. The Melanated Growers Foundation has grown and evolved to include all gardeners, farmers, and learners in our work for the communities we serve. Please stay tuned as we continue to grow, literally. We have lots in store for you. Check back often and subscribe to our email list for up-to-the-minute updates!
We have made major impacts in Jacksonville Florida by installing several gardens in the community and in several schools within the past 3 years. In addition to installing and planting gardens in the community, we also revitalize old, neglected gardens and empower the community members proper education to care for the gardens. We do this work free of charge for the communities we serve. We rely on sponsorships, grants, and most importantly volunteerism, which is the lifeblood of our work, to make it all happen. If you would like to volunteer with us, please fill out the form below. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and must sign a waiver before volunteering. To volunteer at our partner schools when students are present, a background screening must be completed.
2025 Year in Review
January 2025
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Phase I of Caljon St. Community Garden Completed (Built raised beds and laid weed guard and soil)
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Plant & Party on Pearl-Free Community event to party, plant, and celebrate the birthday of our founder, Lisa Corprew
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Phase 1 of Raines High School Garden
February 2025
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Bonnie Plants became our largest In-Kind Sponsor to date!
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Melanated Growers Foundation set up our signature Plant Bar at the official launch party for Florida Fish Pepper Co.
March 2025
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Phase II of Caljon Street Community Garden. Plant starts started by Bonnie Plants were planted. We sponsored a neighborhool Barbeque for the residents to enjoy while we planted.
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We installed a new garden at Northwestern Legends Elementary School, donated and assembling garden beds, filling with soil, and planting plant starts.
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Donated 2 Hydroponic Plant Systems to the Chef Harvey Foundation for Stem Classes.
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Completed Phase II of Raines High School Garden. The culinary program enjoyed growing and cooking collards, cabbage, peppers, and much more!
April 2025
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April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. We held a Jamaican Themed Volunteer Celebration event at Shantytown Pub called "One Love, One Grow". Volunteers enjoyed good food, dancing, reggae music and took home free plants!
May 2025
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Walmart became a sponsor, providing funds for much needed gardening supplies through it's Spark Good program.
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Melanated Growers Foundation participated in the Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta's Health Fair.
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Built Garden Beds for the Community Garden on 8th Street at Blue Zones
June 2025
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Planted Cover Crops at the community garden over at Blue Zones on 8th street
July 2025
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Due to Florida climate, July is our downtime for our volunteers to rest away from the heat and spend time enjoying the summer with friends and family.
August 2025
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August is our collaboration time. We planned for our 3rd Annual Conference with our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors.
September 2025
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Hosted our 3rd Annual Melanated Growers Conference, "Preserving the Root". The conference consists of 3 days and 4 events. Our guests gave us great reviews and feedback for next year. We can't wait to do it all again!
October 2025
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Planted Seedlings for our community and school gardens that will be planted in addition to the Plant Starts that our Sponsor, Bonnie Plants, provide for us.
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Virtual Planting Class (free)
November 2025
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Plant and Play Day
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Farm to Table Food Demonstration
December 2025
Executive Board Holiday Party
