Autumn Harvest Auction 2023

Growing Hope is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on strengthening and supporting the local food system throughout Ypsilanti. Our mission is to foster an equitable and sustainable local food system where all people are empowered to grow, sell, buy, prepare, and eat nourishing food. We own and operate an urban farm for demonstration, food production, and education, fund, organize, and staff the Ypsilanti Farmers Markets, operate an incubator kitchen for budding food entrepreneurs to begin their businesses, run youth programming for local schools and teens to connect to the land and food justice, and facilitate home and community gardening through specific programs.

Based out of Ypsilanti, we foster a community where all people–particularly those with barriers due to race, class, culture, language, ability, and mobility–have access to nourishing local food that is culturally appropriate and affordable, can grow and prepare their own harvests, and may earn a living as a food grower, producer, or entrepreneur.

Growing Hope increases our community's well-being and capacity to access and grow fresh produce by building raised garden beds at the homes of working-class Ypsilanti residents, focusing on BIPOC, disabled, elderly, and otherwise marginalized community members with limited access to fresh produce. With the raised beds, we provide garden soil, seedlings, garden education through our summer workshop series, and seasonal mentorship from an experienced local gardener. Our farm and garden programming provides beds, seedlings, compost, and other resources to over 300 home gardeners, 20 community gardens, three nonprofit farms, and countless school gardens annually.

Growing Hope's Autumn Harvest Auction is made possible by the generous donations of unique items and experiences by local businesses and organizations. Every bid and donation supports Growing Hope's active programming, such as the Winter Indoor Farmers Market relaunch this November, and builds generational health in Ypsilanti.