News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding its People’s Garden Initiative to include additional eligible gardens nationwide.

School gardens, community gardens, urban farms and small-scale agriculture projects in rural, suburban and urban areas can be recognized as a “People’s Garden” if they register on the USDA website and meet the criteria.

To be eligible, gardens:

• Benefit the community by providing food, green space, wildlife habitat and education space.
• Are a collaborative effort. This can include groups working together with USDA agencies, food banks, after school programs, Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, conservation districts, etc.
• Incorporate conservation management practices, such as using native plant species, rain barrels, integrated pest management and xeriscaping.
• Educate the public about sustainable gardening practices and the importance of local, diverse and resilient food systems providing healthy food for the community.

Affiliate People’s Garden locations will be indicated on a map on the USDA website, featured in USDA communications and provided with a People’s Garden sign. New gardens will join the People’s Garden at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. and 17 other flagship gardens established earlier this year.

To learn more about People’s Garden or to register one, visit the People’s Garden webpage at https://www.usda.gov/peoples-garden.