Dec 20, 2022
Every 30 seconds a football field's worth of natural area disappears. Open spaces serve so many important functions within our communities; they help improve air quality, reduce urban temperations, give people a place to enjoy an active lifestyle and promote a sense of community. They play a vital role in our cities and despite their known benefits, they are difficult to protect and preserve.
My guests today are Tim and Kerry Francis, owners of Dharma’s Garden, a garden situated right in the heart of Boulder, CO. Dharma's Garden is a thriving center of connection within the local community. They offer seasonal festivals, social activities, educational programs, and immersive experiences.
After leasing the land for 5 years to run their community supported agriculture growing model, Tim and Kerry risked losing it all when the owner decided to sell the property. In order to save this most valuable 5-acre parcel and preserve the community they had created, Tim and Kerry had to raise 4.5 million dollars to purchase the land.. Despite it being a huge endeavor, they were able to raise the money to save Dharma’s garden and continue to educate and inspire others to take on the important work of tending the earth.
About Dharma’s Garden
Founded in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational project, Dharma's Garden has since grown into a thriving center of connection within the local community. Here, people are connected to each other—through meaningful work, seasonal festivals, and social activities. Just as importantly, people are connected to the natural world—through educational programs, hands-on activities, and immersive experiences.
Through our productive half-acre garden, lively Saturday market, popular seasonal festivals, and diverse educational programs for adults and children of all ages, Dharma's Garden is a project of the community, by the community, and for the community.
Dharma's Garden brings a direct connection to sustainable agriculture right into the heart of the city, fully integrated with the community, accessible and inclusive, offering visitors an immersive experience that is all but lost in the modern world today. Using organic, biodynamic, and regenerative agricultural practices, this living homestead serves as a model for ethical land stewardship, with wild areas and cultivated areas both integral to the whole.
Connect with Dharma’s Garden
Website https://www.dharmasgarden.com/support
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dharmasgarden/
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