We had the good fortune of connecting with Barbara Masoner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbara, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Grow Local started up during the Great Recession. Several committed individuals and organizations saw a need to ensure food security for everyone in our community while ensuring we created a healthier future for the next several generations. We also knew a healthier and happier future entailed less screen time and more outdoor time. We landed on the idea of growing food in public spaces and sharing that food with those lacking access to healthy food. Denver Parks graciously offered us one garden bed in Civic Center Park. That first garden was so beautiful and productive that the Parks Department has provided us with additional sites. Now we are growing in parks, at churches, at state addiction recovery facilities, the Governor’s Mansion and even a few backyards. Last year we grew and donated nearly 10,000 pounds of produce to over a dozen organizations serving our neighbors in need.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Gardens are art and edible gardens are healing art. For thousands of years humans have created gardens to bring nature into their cities. I am bringing edible gardens into our community to build a more resilient future. Volunteers tend these gardens and donate the proceeds to food pantries and shelters. The harvests are works of art that are visually satisfying as well as nourishing to the soul and body. Over the past 13 years we’ve built more gardens and engaged more volunteers and recipients.

Growing in these challenging times is not easy but it is rewarding. Just about every year the temperatures seem more extreme and the pests more persistent. However, by learning how to grow in these conditions we are setting a template for getting through the challenges ahead. Key to our success is forming partnerships. We have partnering organizations and businesses that help us tend our gardens. To ensure our gardens are productive and attractive we engage around 400 volunteers each season. We have slowly grown our volunteer base as we started with 10 volunteers 13 years ago.

Grow Local Colorado is committed to food equity, to environmental sustainability, and to a strong community. We are working toward that goal each year. And every new person that joins our efforts in turn radiates joy and knowledge that then brings others into the rewarding future of local food.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver has so many fun, unique and progressive businesses and opportunities. A concert at Red Rocks would be at the top of the list followed by Sunday jazz concerts in City Park. Highlands in the place to stop for delicious eats such as Root Down and Vital Root. If there is a Buntport play or debate that week we definitely will stop in and watch this troupe perform an original play. And if they don’t have a performance then we’ll hit Curious Theatre which presents provocative plays, important to our times. A walk through one of Grow Local Colorado’s edible gardens is a great way to motivate my guest to replicate this program in their community.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Linda Kiker is Grow Local Colorado other co-director. If not for her energy and dedication we would not have 20 garden sites in 2022. She has worked as a respiratory therapist and run a successful personal chef business. She’s been with GLC since 2015. After retiring she looked for a space to redirect her energies in food. Because GLC is a group centered on nurturing our community with quality produce it is a perfect fit. Linda participates in starting our seedlings, leading our garden volunteers at the Governor’s Mansion, sharing healthy recipes, assisting with our other gardens and, as of last season, a fruit collecting effort.

Website: GrowLocalColorado.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growlocalcolorado/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grow-Local-Colorado-114638408601569

Image Credits
Grow Local Colorado

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