Grow your Own is an opportunity for community members to increase food independence, better health and wellbeing through shared knowledge and experience. The hands-on workshops are free to participants, and community member experts share their knowledge on subjects related to the local food system. A shared project between The Hardwick Area Food Pantry, the Center for an Agricultural Economy and NEK Kids on the Move, Grow Your Own is a chance for individuals to acquire new skills, share a meal and strengthen community. Workshops this year also included food storage, mushroom growing, healthy snacks, wild edibles plant walk, and companion planting. Grow Your Own partnered with the Hardwick Farmers Market to offer cheese making, and with the Sterling College Community Food Action students to offer fermentation and a spa night. 

Grow Your Own's first ever annual membership meeting on December 1 was an opportunity to share a meal while discussing goals for 2019. Ideas were generated for how membership in Grow Your Own could be enhanced and possibilities for more leadership opportunities. Members suggested workshop topics, grassroots outreach methods, special projects, and a regular newspaper column. Volunteers stepped up to help plan for next year's workshop list, support workshops, and to join the Steering Committee. Eleven adults and three children attended and had shepherd's pie together. If you are interested in attending workshops or learning more about Grow Your Own, contact Bethany: bethany@hardwickagriculture.org