It's been an incredibly challenging year, with the continuing pandemic and resulting economic challenges, people in the Fountain Heights community already experiencing poverty had even greater unfulfilled needs.
Our own family didn't escape the financial challenges of this year but were able to make ends meet thanks to the farming and land justice Braiding Seeds Fellowship that Dominique was awarded midyear.
Even with our challenges, we remain incredibly grateful of all the support we received and have been able to give, our community, our friendships, and all we have been able to accomplish this year.
In 2021 we have grown to four neighborhood-based farm spaces, built an aquaponics learning center with the support of a Farmers of Color Network Infrastructure Grant from RAFI-USA, have distributed 10,802+ pounds of food free to the community valued at $32,406, provided neighborhood employment, hosted twelve in-person and virtual workshops, trained three burgeoning urban farmers, and provided education to residents regarding land access and land retention.
We are now raising funds to build the Heart of our farm, which includes a community kitchen, indoor farmers market, classroom space, offices, and an ADA-accessible restroom. These are essential infrastructure components that we need to continue our work. Please help us by donating today. If you would like to further help us meet our goal by creating a fundraising team, please email us at mdv@fountainheightsfarms.com for help getting that started!
Farming from the HEART means more than planting and harvesting. It's sowing a part of ourselves into our work and our community that something beautiful and sustaining will bloom.
Read the full 2021 Impact Report
Deep gratitude,
Dominique & Chris, Co-founders of Fountain Heights Farms
