City farm retains rising thanks partly to Toledo arts competition

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A very popular summer tradition in Toledo begins later this week. The Crosby Festival of the Arts attracts people from all over the world. While showcasing some very talented artists, it is also helping a nonprofit in Toledo continue their groundbreaking work.

Toledo GROWS has been part of the cityscape for 25 years. This year alone, the organization is supporting 125 community gardens. A plot of land north of the city center serves as the home base.

The city farm is tucked away on Oneida Street. Plants grow everywhere, from greenhouses to gardens. What is happening here has changed lives for many, and all thanks to a small staff and an army of volunteers.

Yvonne Dubielak is the managing director of Toledo GROWs.

“Often times, volunteers say that I’m here to help because it’s good for the community. The more they learn and really immerse themselves in it, the more they love it. People are excited about what we’re doing here. In addition to what we do on the farm, we also support more than 100 community gardens. We can help with seeds and seedlings. We can help people organize their garden. We can get volunteers out if possible and we can bring them together with other gardeners so they can exchange ideas. “

Sally McQueen has been a volunteer since 2016. She has had gardens both large and small all her life and loves to share the joy of gardening with others.

“It’s nice to have the feeling that you are making a difference. Here children learn to grow their own food. They learn something about vegetables that they have never seen or heard of. You will find out where it comes from. We hope these are things that will be with you throughout your life, just as it was with me. Teaching people to grow their own food for health and economic reasons is one of our important missions. “

What is grown on the farm is sold under a Community Supported Agriculture Shares program. Dubielak says nothing is wasted.

“Most of what we grow here is being sold to bring money into the program so we can continue our work. 5-10% of our harvest is shared with the community every year. We share with neighbors and other organizations in our neighborhood. “

It certainly takes a lot of work to keep everything growing, but the benefits of what happens on this farm are the seeds that will help this community grow through generations.

The Crosby Festival of the Arts generates around 20% of annual operating income for Toledo GROWs. The festival takes place in the Toledo Botanical Gardens from Friday to Sunday.

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