A space to nurture both plants and people
Everbloom’s Community Learning Nursery operates on a 21-acre homestead farm owned by our founder Kenneth Anderson. The farm and nursery grow naturally following permaculture principles.
We primarily use heirloom seeds to support the practice of community seed saving, preserving varieties from season to season to pass seeds and knowledge to new generations. The nursery also composts and takes every opportunity to return organic matter and replenish soil while avoiding any use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
The Community Learning Nursery operates primarily through a network of dedicated community volunteers who care for and grow all of the nursery’s plant stock. Consistent volunteers who demonstrate the ability to lead and teach are designated as Grow Stewards and help provide technical support and gardening guidance for growers who receive starter gardens.
The seedlings grown at the nursery supply single-family urban gardens, community gardens, church gardens, and urban farms, who we call our Grow Partners. We primarily direct our donated plants to ZIP codes that are food insecure or low-income, but everyone is welcome to join our growing network. New gardeners can attend Sowing Seeds Together Community Workshops to kickstart their gardening training and receive seedlings.
We distribute food harvested at the nursery for free to families in need to enlist the community in addressing and eradicating hunger.
An expanding endeavor
The nursery is truly a growing operation. In 2022, we provided starter gardens and support to 40 families. In 2023, Everbloom grew more than 2,500 seedlings that supplied 86 at-home family gardens, six community gardens, and three church gardens.
Everbloom produced and distributed over 16,000 free vegetable and herb seedlings to the greater Memphis community this year.
So what impact does that have? Like many other vegetables produces 10-20 pounds of food, on average, in a season. The gardens of Everbloom’s Grow Partners have the potential to produce from 160,000 to 200,000 pounds of locally and organically grown produce in just this year alone.
In the future, we hope to offer our seedlings at local farmer’s markets and other locations, create more chances for community members to start or expand their gardeners while support Everbloom’s mission.
Help build our seed bank
Heirloom seed sharing and saving is a foundation for food security. We hope to establish a community seed bank that collects, shares, and distributes seeds. If you’re interested in helping us build this resource, reach out to us through the form below.
Become part of Everbloom's growing network
Become a Grow Steward
Donate your time to tend the seedlings and plants at the Community Learning Nursery! Fill out our form and let us know you're interested.
Become a Grow Partner
Start your own homestead! Fill out our interest form and start receiving training and seedlings straight from the Community Learning Nursery.