By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in partnership with Iowa Total Care, has launched the Iowa Donation Garden Network (IDGN), a statewide initiative designed to strengthen and connect community gardens that donate fresh produce to local food pantries.
The new program provides education, resources, and collaboration opportunities to expand food access and promote community health across Iowa.
The initiative is led by ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Master Gardener Program. It builds on the success of the Growing Together Iowa project, which distributed more than 900,000 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries over the past decade. With USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) funding concluding in 2025, this membership-based network will fill a critical gap in statewide support for donation gardens.
“The Iowa Donation Garden Network is a way to continue the momentum of donation gardening in Iowa,” said Alicia Herzog, Iowa Master Gardener program manager. “We’re excited to offer a space for garden leaders to learn, connect and grow their impact.”
Members of the network receive quarterly educational Zoom sessions, a donation garden toolkit, garden signage, and inclusion in a statewide garden map and annual impact report. They also gain access to a private online community that fosters peer learning and collaboration among garden organizers.
A generous contribution from Iowa Total Care will support the program’s first three years, covering membership fees and providing materials such as garden signage and administrative support. After that period, the standard membership rate will be $150 per garden per year, covering access for two representatives.
Bryan Sanders, president and CEO of Iowa Total Care, emphasized the program’s community focus, stating, “Supporting the Iowa Donation Garden Network aligns with our mission to address social drivers of health and empower local solutions that improve lives.”
Community gardens interested in joining the network or attending upcoming informational sessions can learn more and register through the Iowa Donation Garden Network website.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-joshua-resnick
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle