Unlocking the Benefits of Tower Gardens: Cultivating Food and Community in Your Home

Food insecurity is a pressing issue affecting many people across the country. Many struggle to find healthy options or afford basic groceries. For example, the price of a dozen eggs can range from $4 at a farm to as much as $10 in stores. This problem is complicated by inflation, supply shortages, and the impact of recent events. Unfortunately, simple solutions like gardening aren’t always practical for everyone.

Gardening can be tough. It requires time, effort, and patience—a combination not everyone can manage. Some believe you need a lot of space and fancy tools, which adds to the challenge. But for those who love it, gardening can be a rewarding journey. As Denise McCollough from Tower Gardens puts it, “Once you become an avid gardener, not gardening isn’t an option.” Still, many people face hurdles like apartment living, strict lease agreements, or HOA rules that make gardening impossible. Without access to fresh food, many individuals and families feel the strain.

Denise reminds us, “Hunger has no zip code.” With climate change becoming more pressing, it’s essential to find new ways to grow food. The Tower Garden offers a solution. This innovative method of gardening is designed for small spaces and makes it easier for anyone to grow their fruits and vegetables. In Greensboro, Denise and her team have created an educational program that uses the Tower Garden as a hands-on learning tool for students.

This program is changing the way kids learn about food. Research shows that students who grow their food are much more likely to eat it. Plus, when Tower Garden visits schools, attendance improves. Students are more engaged and eager to learn. The curriculum is not just about gardening; it also covers STEAM subjects—science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Children can decorate their garden towers and take part in various discussions related to financial literacy and environmental awareness.

Vincent Webb, Jr. from the Guilford County Center of the NC Extension collaborates with the program to teach students canning and food preservation, equipping them with lifelong skills. The vocabulary used in the program helps students learn terms like “germinate,” making it both educational and fun.

Denise dreams of expanding the Tower Garden initiative to all schools in Greensboro. Currently, the towers are in several locations, including A&T University and the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, as well as in over twenty countries worldwide. She believes it’s vital for the AADS department at UNCG to thrive and be recognized for their efforts to combat hunger.

As Denise and her team work to tackle food insecurity, she encourages others to grow their own food, saying, “When you can grow your own food from seed, that’s a flex. Food is another form of currency.” Growing your own food can provide not just sustenance but also empowerment in an uncertain world.

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