For many, gardening is a peaceful hobby or a way to enjoy fresh produce. For participants in Udac’s Garden Program, it’s also a meaningful opportunity to give back, connect with their community, and grow in more ways than one.
The Udac Garden Program was established with a simple but impactful mission: to grow produce for donation to local food shelves. Currently, the program’s harvest supports Chum’s Food Shelf, helping improve food access for individuals and families across the community.
With support from the Duluth Community Garden Program, the initiative has blossomed. Participants now care for three garden sites around Duluth, including community plots, a raised bed behind the Udac building, and a plot at Essentia Health Duluth. At each site, the team is responsible for planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting throughout the season.
And the program itself is growing, too. When Career and Life Coach Manager John Skiba took over operations four years ago, the garden program donated about 100 pounds of fresh produce. Last year, that number climbed to an impressive 250 pounds, a testament to both the hard work of participants and the expansion of garden sites around Duluth.
But the program is about more than growing food - it’s about growing community. Participants frequently collaborate with local organizations and take part in service initiatives. They contributed to the “One Vegetable, One Community” project by assembling seed packets and presenting at a local school. They also joined The College of St. Scholastica’s Community Day, helping restore campus gardens. Another highlight was their partnership with Ecolibrium3 and AmeriCorps VISTA, where they helped improve accessibility at an urban farm near Lake Superior College.
The program runs year-round in spirit, with winter months focused on education and planning. Participants learn about horticulture, nutrition, and sustainable gardening techniques. Some even bring their new skills home, starting gardens of their own or helping friends and family grow food.
Every gardener finds their niche; some enjoy the rhythm of watering, others take pride in pulling weeds, and many look forward to the excitement of harvest time. Even the challenges of gardening, such as trial-and-error with crops or managing water access, are embraced as part of the learning process. With creativity and teamwork, participants tackle barriers like poor accessibility by using tools with extended handles and adapting their methods to fit the space.
Gardening isn’t always easy - water shortages, plant failures, and limited mobility present real hurdles. But the spirit of the Udac Garden Program is resilient. Participants find joy in the work, pride in their progress, and fulfillment in giving back to the community. From a few raised beds to a city-wide effort, the Udac Garden Program continues to plant seeds of inclusion, service, and connection - harvesting far more than vegetables along the way.
