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Thrilled to be able to share an overhead update of our flagship garden. In 2021 our garden saw great expansion with the addition of an outdoor classroom and a new section that increased our growing space by one-third thanks to the Boeing Employee Fund’s generous support. We still have many projects ahead, and we are very excited about what the future holds. If you would like to support our efforts would be extremely grateful! A donation of any amount will allow our flagship garden and Growers across the country to grow a healthy end to hunger. https://katieskrops.networkforgood.com/

We would be thrilled and honored to have your support in purchasing a second garden shed for our flagship garden. It has been a dream come true to expand our flagship garden and to open our outdoor classroom. We are able to grow more produce than ever before, and our classroom has been a huge success in engaging families from across our community. Over 60 percent of families who attend our classes have become volunteers that are helping us grow.

With the expansion and classroom has come the additional supplies and tools we need to grow and teach. We have completely outgrown the limited storage space we have in our flagship garden. We would be honored to have your support to raise funds to purchase a second garden shed to secure our tools and classroom supplies. We want to honor and respect every donation made to Katie’s Krops, and right now, we are not doing that successfully because we do not have space to keep items organized and preserved. We have reached a point where our current shed is overflowing with supplies and has become a hazard as we try to reach the tools we need. A new shed would be a huge blessing!

To meet our community’s growing needs, we have launched a vast expansion of our flagship garden that will increase our growing space by one-third. The development is being made possible with Boeing Employee Community Fund of South Carolina’s generous support. “I am so grateful to the Boeing South Carolina teammates for their support of Katie’s Krops and allowing us to increase our growing space to feed even more of our neighbors in need. Our outreach has expanded dramatically in the past year due to the pandemic. The Boeing teammates are helping us meet the increased demand,” Share Katie Stagliano, founder of Katie’s Krops.

Volunteers from Leadership Dorchester executed the project. Susan Cox, the lead volunteer for the Katie’s Krops Garden, build shared, “Our biggest hurdle for Leadership Dorchester this year was not being able to fundraise for a big community service project like other classes have done in years past. It just was not the right time to be asking small businesses for donations when so many haven’t survived the pandemic or are scraping the bottom now. We had to get creative and went on a search to find projects that were already funded but needed some sweat equity. We did set some criteria though. We were looking for a project that was achievable and sustainable. It needed to be an urgent need that would have an impact on our diverse community. So, when Katie’s Krops submitted a proposal, it was a unanimous vote to help. They had turned a monthly dinner into a weekly dinner for much of the first year of the pandemic to help anyone in need within our community. We knew we had to return the favor (like that Mike Rose show) and make sure they have everything they need to continue to help the community.” 

The Katie’s Krops flagship garden is located on the campus of Crossroads Community Church in Summerville. If you are interested in volunteering to grow a healthy end to hunger, please visit the  https://katieskrops.com/volunteer/.

We are thrilled to continue to offer programs in our outdoor classroom in May. Below you will find a list of upcoming classes and a description including age guidelines for each class. All of our programs require advance signups. Every program will have a limited number of spaces available. Our programs are not drop-off programs, and we require a parent or guardian to stay in the garden area during class time. We ask for programs that involve elementary-age students, adults to step away from the classroom to allow children to work independently with the instructor and fellow students. This does not apply to storytime.

As we are in an outdoor setting, all classes are weather-dependent. We are a working garden that includes bugs, sticks and stone, and all of a garden’s wonders. Closed-toes shoes are required at all times.

Storytime in the Garden with Katie- Monday, May 3^rd 10:00 am to 10:45 am. 

Join Katie for three stories and explore what is growing in the garden. A parent or guardian must stay in the garden during storytime. Closed-toed shoes are required, and masks are optional. Thank you, Main Street Reads, for sponsoring this program.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-story

Safety Talk with Summerville Police Officer – Friday, May 14th 10:15 am

Summerville Police Officer James will teach a safety class for kids ages 4-8! This class will go over important safety measures, talk about what a police officer does and answer any questions the kids may have. We ask that parents stay in the garden during the class, but let the children sit by themselves in the outdoor classroom.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-safety1

Science in the Garden- Tuesday, May 18th 1:00 to 1:45 pm

Join Mrs. Boykin in the garden as she teaches a gardening-based science class! Students will be learning about plant structure and function, creating their own plant models, and exploring the garden for some hands-on learning. This class is opened to students 4 to11 and we ask that parents stay in the garden with their children for the duration of the class. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-science

Family Yoga in the Garden- Saturday, May 22nd 10 am to 11 am

Join Three Keys Yoga instructor in the garden for family yoga. This class is open to participants of all ages and we ask that families remain together for the class. Participants must bring a yoga mat or towel. This program is free of charge thanks to our friends at Three Keys Yoga.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-yoga1

Storytime in the Garden with Katie- Monday, May 10^th 10:00 am to 10:45 am. 

Join Katie for three stories and explore what is growing in the garden. A parent or guardian must stay in the garden during storytime. Closed-toed shoes are required, and masks are optional. Thank you Main Street Reads for sponsoring the program.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-story1

Mother’s Day Arts & Craft in the Garden- Friday, May 7th 10 am to 11 am

Create beautiful crafts just in time for Mother’s Day on Sunday. This class is open to children three and up. There is a $5 charge which includes all supplies. Funds will be collected at the start of the class. A parent or guardian must stay in the garden during arts and crafts. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-mothers

Storytime in the Garden with Katie- Monday, May 24^th 10:00 am to 10:45 am. 

Join Katie for three stories and explore what is growing in the garden. A parent or guardian must stay in the garden during storytime. Closed-toed shoes are required, and masks are optional. Thank you, Main Street Reads, for sponsoring this program.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-story2

Photography in the Garden- May 15^th at 10 am

Join local photography expert Matt Cavanaugh as you explore the garden through your camera lens. This class is open to new and experienced photographers. The class is open to ages twelve and older. Adults are encouraged to join. Please bring your camera and wear closed-toe shoes.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA5AE29A6FE3-photography

Our classroom is located in our flagship garden on the campus of Crossroads Community Church, 505 Gahagan Road in Summerville. Please follow the driveway to the rear of the church where you will find the classroom.