Sharing the belief that gardens have the power to grow more than flowers, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and KidsGardening launched the Lots of Compassion Grant program to support local leaders wanting to transform vacant lots into spaces to grow people, communities, and kindness. In 2023, ten grant recipients received $20,000 each to create compassion-focused gardens, including Victoria's Educational Garden in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

The inspiration for Victoria's Educational Garden originated with high school student Victoria Wiggins as a way to give back to her community. She approached the school district's superintendent and town mayor to help her secure land for the garden. She then enlisted the help of her 4-H group and other community members to help make the dream a reality. “Our garden serves as a beacon of hope and kindness in our community,” shares 4-H Youth Officer Victoria Wiggins. “It provides a space where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, work side by side, and share in the joys of gardening. This interaction fosters a sense of belonging and mutual respect. I’ve seen neighbors who barely knew each other become friends over the shared task of planting and harvesting. This transformation illustrates the garden's ability to grow kindness and build a compassionate community.”

The 1500-square-foot garden is located within walking distance to three schools, a community park, and a baseball field. “The garden’s strategic positioning maximizes its impact, creating a central hub for learning, growth, and community engagement,” notes Lisa Wiggins, 4-H Club Leader. The project was spearheaded by Victoria as a way for youth to practice the values instilled by 4-H and empower young individuals to become compassionate leaders, creating a positive impact on their lives and those around them.

Natchitoches Extension Agent Pam Pearch shares, “By engaging in gardening activities, youth can experience firsthand the benefits of healthier eating, engaging exercise, building confidence, relieving stress, and improving focus and memory. The garden not only nurtures plants but also nurtures compassion within young individuals, promoting empathy, kindness, and a sense of responsibility towards others. It serves as a platform for youth to connect with nature, learn sustainable practices, and develop a deeper understanding of the importance of caring for both the environment and their community.”

Fortunate to have access to water and plenty of sunlight, the new garden consists of 9 raised garden beds, a pavilion to host educational programming and community gatherings, a storage facility, a compost bin, and recyclable gardens. Edible crops are grown in the beds and donated to bolster local food security. In addition to vegetable gardens, the space includes a pollination garden to help attract pollinators to contribute to environmental biodiversity and habitat.

Truly a community effort, “volunteers assembled beds, shoveled rocks, put soil in raised beds, cleaned, planted, and created artwork,” explains Victoria. “We had volunteers from the school board, master gardeners, 4-H clubs, preschool classes, youth groups, and interested garden advocates.” Natchitoches Parish School Board and the City of Natchitoches supported the effort by matching resources and services too. “Seeing this garden come together and having a role in helping from the very beginning was truly rewarding. It was exciting to play a part in making our community a better place,” explains Rachel Key, a member of the Northwestern State University Elementary Lab School’s 4-H Garden Club.

The community will continue to be actively involved in the garden through monthly workdays, educational programs, and community gatherings scheduled throughout the year. An intergenerational effort, master gardeners are recruited to work alongside the youth. Victoria and 4-H Club Member Riya Webber have created and continue to update and improve a website that aims to keep their community informed on the events and promotions happening at the garden. Examples of programming include an art contest for local 4-H school groups and 4-H Junior Leaders to help beautify the garden through original art work. The Natchitoches Parish Library has implemented programming for the youth at the garden to expand the audience to even more community members. A professional development is being scheduled for teachers to inspire them to share lessons in ag literacy with their students.

“I am incredibly proud of our community and the way they pooled their resources and talents in efforts to educate our youth to help solve the food insecurity issues we unfortunately face today,” shares Carol Steadman, a lifelong Natchitoches resident. Exemplifying the goals of the Lots of Compassion Grant Program, Victoria’s Educational Garden “serves as a catalyst for compassion” in their community. As Pam shares, “The garden is fostering connections, building relationships, promoting unity, and encouraging acts of kindness and service.” A testament to the power of gardens, we hope their amazing story will inspire you to consider developing community garden spaces in your neighborhood too.

Check out some before and after photos from the other 2023 Lots of Compassion Winners above!