Growing Community at Bay View’s Community Garden
What do you get when you combine a vision for community, a dedicated group of volunteers, and support from the Doing A New Thing Fund? At Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay, the answer is a thriving community garden that brings people together around shared learning, fresh food, and new relationships.
Like many gardening projects, this one began with a few unexpected challenges. A late-season blizzard, a cold and rainy spring, and even an unwelcome flood caused by a neighboring sump pump slowed progress. Despite the setbacks, the garden has serviced this summer as a place for growth and connection.
Pastor Dara got the opportunity to visit the garden last fall to see the initial laying of ground. At the time there wasn’t much in place, but it was clear that the garden stewards were busy planning and preparing.
Today, the garden features 13 raised garden beds measuring 4-by-6 feet, two wheelchair-height metal beds designed for accessibility, and several smaller in-ground planting areas. Every bed was planted, either with community members’ crops or with extra plants that will be harvested by the food pantry.
One of the goals of the garden is to connect with neighbors who may not otherwise have access to gardening opportunities. Through a partnership with the Lakeshore CAP food pantry, organizers reached out to potential participants from the community. Because of that connection, several individuals got the opportunity to garden this summer! The garden also welcomed participation from a group connected to the Turning Point agency, which created opportunities for inclusion and relationship-building.
Photo of the gardens taken in mid-June
Education is also an important part of the project. Support from the Door County Master Gardeners Association helped establish teaching gardens and that provided opportunities for future educational events, giving gardeners of all experience levels a chance to learn new skills and grow their confidence in the garden.
Partnership with community organizations is at the core of this project. The Door County Seed Library donated seeds, United Way provided starter plants, and the Door County Master Gardeners contributed additional funding that helped make the construction of the garden beds possible. On top of that, a new garden shed was purchased, while a donated rain barrel, new watering cans from Bonnie Brooke Gardens, and outdoor seating contributed by local supporters have helped make the garden both functional and welcoming.
Beyond growing vegetables, Bayview's community garden is cultivating something even more important: community. Volunteers, gardeners, and neighbors are finding opportunities to connect, learn from one another, and support local food security. During this harvest season fresh produce from the shared beds are helping stock local food pantry shelves while providing meaningful experiences for everyone involved.
The Doing A New Thing Fund's investment in this ministry is certainly bearing fruit, and creating a space where hospitality, stewardship, education, and community care can flourish together!