Gardens of Hope Makes the Most of AgSouth Grant

Courtesy of Gardens of Hope RCO

Gardens of Hope Recovery Community Organization (RCO) grew extensively throughout 2024, especially through the AgSouth Growing Our Communities Grant, which they received last year.

The RCO – which works to provide peer support, create recovery connections, and foster new relationships with recovery allies of Toombs County – was one of 42 organizations from Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina who were selected for the grant, which had over 276 applicants.

This funding was used to develop a community garden at the RCO’s new location in Lyons; using this garden, the organization is able to implement horticulture therapy by building raised beds to plant fruits and vegetables alongside peers in recovery. This produce will not only help to feed those in recovery, but will also be donated to local food banks to help provide for the community.

The AgSouth Growing Our Communities Grant was created after the merger of Carolina Farm Credit and AgSouth in 2023, as it brings together the principles of the former Carolina Farm Credit Corporate Mission Fund and AgSouth’s Think Outside the Store Farmer’s Market Grant. The Growing Our Communities Grant gives over $197,200 to 42 organizations each year.