November 2024 Newsletter
TNGP Expansion Plan
Where are we going?
TNGP is committed to creating vibrant gardens rich in biodiversity for families and individuals to enjoy. Gardens have a remarkable ability to teach us something new with each visit. Our mission is to expand this learning and engagement experience throughout Texas and beyond for years to come.
As we follow our mission, we are focusing on expanding throughout Houston and Texas in the coming years. TNGP aims to establish resource hubs that offer education, access to locally grown produce, and much more across the region. By partnering with The Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the Episcopal Health Foundation, and other dedicated community partners, we strive to enhance our efforts to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Our current locations include St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, and Ascension Episcopal Church. We have completed the construction at St. Paul’s and are halfway through the process at Emmanuel, our second location.
The seeds we faithfully plant today will provide the resources we need to grow and expand our mission. With humble hearts, we are grateful to walk alongside those who the gardens have transformed.
Stay tuned for details on our expansion in upcoming newsletters.
Let’s keep it growing!
Meet a Board Member
Mike DeRiso is the Director of Development at TNGP. He is a retired marketing and product development professional with a background in the agriculture industry, bringing a wealth of experience in product management, marketing, business development, and strategic planning. Mike is a Texas Certified Crop Consultant (CCA) and has previously engaged in elementary school agriculture education outreach. As a lifelong gardener, he maintains a community garden plot in Harvest Green, Richmond, TX.
Meet a Gardner of TNGP
Kayla Bellamy has been volunteering with TNGP since May 2024. With 15 years of hands-on experience cultivating a thriving backyard garden in the heart of Texas, she has come to love the unique challenges and rewards of gardening in this diverse climate. From nurturing vegetables and herbs to experimenting with native plants, Kayla has learned countless tips and tricks she is eager to share with fellow gardeners.
She is passionate about connecting with like-minded individuals who share a love for gardening, exchanging ideas, and learning from one another. Whether offering advice or lending a helping hand, Kayla looks forward to building a strong, supportive gardening community.
Harvest Party at Emmanuel Episcopal Church
We planted 720 sweet potato slips in mid-May, resulting in approximately 1,200 pounds of sweet potatoes. We gathered the community to harvest around 200 pounds to share during the Harvest Party. This event provided a glimpse of what’s to come for our unique and evolving community in West Houston. As we continue to come together, work the soil, and plant seeds of kindness and generosity, we will indeed begin to reap the fruits of our labor.
We look forward to completing the garden at Emmanuel by the end of 2024 or early 2025. This project will provide 30 families with the opportunity to grow and harvest their own food while fostering relationships within the local community.
