Grow it Forward is a micro-farm at St. Luke’s.
In 2018, our congregation voted to impact Family Homelessness and Childhood Hunger. This can only be achieved through long-term, sustainable programs that allow the community to step forward and own it!
The pilot farm was started at St. Luke’s UMC.
You can be a part of this exciting Microfarm!
Volunteer at the Grow it Forward farm
Be part of the movement and help Grow it Forward,
by volunteering on the Micro Farm.
All skill levels are welcome!
Parental presence is required for anyone under age 16.
Regardless of skill levels, volunteers begin with a brief orientation and will be assigned specific tasks under the leadership of our Farm Manager.
Grow It Forward Farm at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
4851 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819
Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Click below to see volunteer opportunities at either location
When volunteering on the farm, please be sure to bring bottled water & wear closed-toe shoes.
VOLUNTEER FORMS
- If you have not yet completed a photo consent form, please visit Photo Consent.
- All volunteers will also need to sign a volunteer liability form to work at any of the Grow it Forward farms. Please visit Grow it Forward Liability Form
If you are part of a group that has been scheduled to work at one of our farms, you may access the group registration link here.
Grow it Forward Amazon Wish List
Grow it Forward Amazon wish list
Be a Friend of the Farm
Be a Friend of the Farm – and Help Us Grow in our community with
Your help is needed to assist us in purchasing required equipment, seeds and
fertilizer, to support our farming team AND to start new micro farms within the
community.
Please find a level of support that works for you. We so appreciate your kindness and generosity!
SPROUT: $10 will help us purchase seeds
LADYBUG: $25 will help us with pest control
SEEDLING: $40 will purchase needed germination supplies
IRRIGATOR: $50 will purchase hoses & sprinkler equipment
TILLER: $75 will keep us in necessary tools to work the earth
GROWER: $150 will help us pay for continuing education & training for our farm team
APPRENTICE: $250 will help to support our student farmers
FARMER: $400 will support “Grow Orlando”, our non-profit partner & farm manager
PRODUCER: $900 will sustain Grow it Forward Vision by planning for the next growing season
GRANTOR: $1500 will support our community outreach and invest in the next micro-farm as we continue to Grow it Forward!
We plant the seeds, but God gives us the harvest.
Choose “Missions” on the Fund dropdown and indicate “Micro Farm” in the notes.
Grow it Forward -the Beginning
The Grow it Forward Micro Farm is featured in the
Edible Orlando magazine, Winter 2021.
Check page 15.
The Micro Farm was also featured in the
West Orange Observer in October 2020.
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SPONSORSHIP
Pammies Sammies is our first corporate sponsor, committing to purchase many of the “fruits of our labor”! The Grow it Forward concept aligns perfectly with Pammies Sammies goals of enriching communities through local farming and healthy food.
The Dr Phillips Rotary is a proud sponsor of our farm. Their foundation grant helps us to pay the salaries of our student farmers and farm coordinator.
St. Luke’s was awarded a $42,000 grant from No Kid Hungry to expand the Grow It Forward network adding 4 more farms in 2021. Grow Orlando will lead the initiative as Grow It Forward expands to faith campuses located in Food Priority Areas west of Orlando. The network’s vision and mission is to eradicate food disparity by building economic and food sovereignty through a self-sustaining micro-farm network, utilizing available land through faith and community partners.
For more information about Grow it Forward, please contact Saniye Kazan, Director of Mission Engagement, at skazan@st.lukes.org.