Over 50 Gardens Installed Across the County
COLUMBIA, MD – Nourishing Gardens, a program of the Community Ecology Institute (CEI), has established over 50 gardens throughout Howard County as of the close of 2024, including at 25% of Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) schools. Since 2021, Nourishing Gardens has engaged hundreds of community members in learning how to grow food in any space while gaining hands-on experience installing gardens at local schools, community centers, and nonprofits.
“Community gardens provide a critical resource where neighbors can come together to learn, grow and nourish their community in a way that prioritizes sustainability and health,” said Community Ecology Institute Founder and Executive Director Chiara D’Amore, PhD. “These gardens offer many health benefits and provide an outlet to make a positive difference in the community.”
Phelps Luck Elementary School (PLES) is the recipient of three Nourishing Gardens since 2022, including a food garden, a pollinator garden, and most recently, a fruit forest, which includes a variety of fruit bearing trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. Lisa Jones, a GT teacher at PLES, said the project was “life changing for some of our students and families,” and fourth and fifth grade students involved in the project expressed excitement for being in their garden, seeing it grow, and getting to taste the fresh produce.
Principal Danielle Shanks at Bryant Woods Elementary, the recipient of Nourishing Gardens food and pollinator gardens in 2023, said, “Being able to have their own special job gives students purpose. They feel like they are part of something bigger than just the school—they are part of helping the community—so they are very proud.”
“The program comes at a time when garden trends are evolving beyond aesthetics to create environments that are beautiful and functional, allowing both people and wildlife to thrive,” said CEI Nourishing Gardens Manager Loni Cohen. “Nourishing Gardens impact goes beyond adding garden spaces to the community by creating opportunities for education and for communities to come together.” A 2023 training participant reflected, “I loved absolutely everything about this program… to be able to help others and teach through gardening is priceless.”
How to Be Part of Nourishing Gardens in 2025
To become a part of the Nourishing Gardens training community, you can sign up for the five-week beginner and intermediate training sessions or for the year-long membership program that includes monthly educational meetings – Nourishing Gardens – Community Ecology Institute. This program is reliant on financial support from our generous grant partners, including the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Jain Family Foundation, as well as community members. You can join in the effort to replace lawns with meaningful growing spaces that support the health of our community by sponsoring a Nourishing Garden.
About Nourishing Gardens
Established 2021, CEI’s Nourishing Gardens program trains and engages community members in transforming lawns into gardens that nourish people, the community and nature. The program was envisioned as a way to bring the many benefits experienced at the Community Ecology Institute’s Freetown Farm out into the community, including health benefits, intergenerational knowledge sharing, positive environmental impacts, and support for addressing food insecurity in Howard County. Each year the program installs and helps maintain Nourishing Gardens in dozens of community spaces. Follow Nourishing Gardens at www.facebook.com/CEINourishingGardens
About the Community Ecology Institute
Working at the intersections of education, environment, equity and health, the Community Ecology Institute (CEI) is a non-profit organization that cultivates communities where people and nature thrive together. Founded in 2016, CEI’s work is rooted at its two Howard County properties, Freetown Farm and the Green Farmacy Garden. CEI’s experiential education programs include Families in Nature, Roots and Wings, the Green SEEDS Internship, Nourishing Gardens, Agroecology in Action, Sustainable Skills Workshops, and EcoStewards Volunteers. Learn more at communityecologyinstitute.org. Follow CEI on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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