For five years, the statewide volunteer organization Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) has partnered with Grow Local Colorado to grow vegetables in Denver’s city parks, at the Colorado Governor's Mansion, and at various community nonprofits.

In late May, another fruitful season of growing local produce will begin. During the evening hours of May 24 and 26, VOC volunteers will head to Observatory Park and Friends of the Haven – a therapeutic community shelter that provides rehabilitation services to women with addiction issues – to plant edible gardens that create healthy, sustainable communities. In the fall, VOC volunteers will harvest these vegetables and then donate them to local food banks, shelters, and families in need.

Volunteer work on VOC’s gardening projects with Grow Local Colorado is always fun, easy, and child-friendly. Tasks involve preparing the garden beds, weeding, working the soil, and planting vegetable seeds and seedlings. Gloves, shovels, and plants are provided, and all volunteers need to bring is a willingness to get a little dirty. 

Since 2011, in collaboration with Grow Local Colorado, which provides seedlings, gardening tools and expertise, 650 VOC volunteers of all ages have contributed more than 1,500 hours of time to grow, harvest, and donate 19,738 pounds of fresh produce, valued at $38,520. In 2013, VOC began helping take down the gardens by cutting up the plants before they go into Grow Local Colorado’s compost piles – eliminating 30 truckloads of compostable waste from going into the landfill!

“VOC has been an incredible partner over the past five years. Because of them our gardens have been planted in a timely, efficient, and meticulous manner,” said Barbara Masoner, Co-Director of Grow Local Colorado. “And, the VOC staff is a joy to work with; they are always prepared, organized and, best of all, enthusiastic. VOC shares our goals of healthy gardens, a healthy environment, and healthy Colorado residents. It would be difficult if not impossible to start and end our grow season without VOC’s fabulous volunteers. We are so grateful for all VOC does to make our state green and beautiful.”

VOC and Grow Local Colorado look forward to many future projects together, and a continued partnership that supports both the local economy and community.