Green Thumb Garden Program

Our Green Thumb Program empowers Anderson County Families to grow their own fresh, healthy food right at home. Through partnerships with local gardeners, The University of Tennessee Dept of Agriculture Extension Office, and Anderson County Co-Op, we provide seeds, starter plants, soil education, gardening tools (when available), and hands-on learning for beginners and seasoned growers alike. Whether it’s a small porch planter or a full backyard garden, we believe every family deserves the opportunity to nurture something that will nourish them. The Green Thumb Program not only helps stretch grocery budgets – it builds confidence, teaches self-reliance, and brings neighbors together through the shared joy of growing fresh food.

We love to encourage all low-income households to grow their own produce for economic and health benefits, but especially for our families with children. The bodies of children are still growing of course, but—just as importantly– habits and behaviors are still malleable. Research shows that  involving children in a school gardening program may do more than cultivate a green thumb. In one study, elementary school children showed increased willingness to try new foods after growing and cooking in a school-based kitchen and gardening program. Other studies show that, over time, students in schools with farm-to-school programs tend to: