For nearly two decades, GROW! has been helping cultivate food, education and community connections in Boundary County. 

GROW! —  short for Gardeners for Regional Organic Wellbeing — focuses on strengthening the local food system by helping residents grow fresh produce and by donating food to local assistance programs.  

Over the years, the volunteer organization has continued expanding its infrastructure and programs to better serve the community. Recently, GROW! secured grant funding to improve the garden’s water system. 

The project added frost-free hydrants throughout the garden, allowing volunteers and gardeners to water crops more easily and consistently. 

One of the garden’s most popular features is its raised bed rental program. The garden currently offers more than 20 hip-height raised beds, each measuring about 12 by 4 feet. Community members can rent a bed for $60 per year, with water, soil amendments and irrigation included. More beds are being added this spring. 

“We have a lot of people that live north of town that have a really short growing season, so they grow their peppers and tomatoes in the GROW garden,” Grow! President Michelle Muir said. “And then we have people that live in apartments that don’t have a space.” 

In addition to individual garden beds, GROW! plants crops specifically to donate to local food programs. Produce grown in the garden is shared with organizations such as local food banks and the senior center. 

“We donated 3,500 pounds of fresh, healthy produce to them last year,” Muir said. “It’s pretty amazing, it helps a lot of people.” 

Education is another key part of GROW!’s mission. From January through April, the organization hosts monthly classes featuring guest speakers and potluck-style gatherings where participants can learn and share ideas. 

More recently, GROW! launched a second monthly program called “Coffee with GROW!,” designed to create a more relaxed environment for gardeners to connect and ask questions. 

“It’s super informal,” Muir said. “We just wanted to be like just a conversation.” 

During the summer months, the organization offers hands-on workshops on topics such as pruning fruit trees, managing tomatoes, and growing pumpkins. Volunteers from youth organizations and community groups frequently assist with weeding, pruning, and harvesting in the garden. 

Accessibility is also an ongoing priority for the organization. In recent years, GROW! added ADA-accessible raised beds so seniors and individuals with mobility challenges can participate in gardening. 

“It’s all packed gravel so they can come if they have walkers or wheelchairs.” Muir said. 

GROW! continues to expand its programs while honoring longtime supporters of the organization. One upcoming project will create a memorial worm garden honoring Marciavee Cossett, a community volunteer and Grow! board member for many years. 

As the organization looks ahead, volunteers are preparing for another season of planting, education and community involvement. Through shared garden space, hands-on learning opportunities and donations to local food programs, GROW! continues working toward its goal of helping neighbors grow food and support one another. 

For more information, go to GROW!’s website at growboundarycounty.org

    Scouts volunteering in the Grow! community garden painting picnic tables.
  

    Produce from the Grow! community garden.