At IPL Macro we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment. That’s why, in 2018, we joined 1% for the Planet, pledging at least 1% of the sales from our Hybrid line of products to environmental nonprofits. We chose several nonprofits that were dealing with causes we cared about and were excited to support.
One of the nonprofits that we are thrilled to be a part of is Seedleaf.
Seedleaf is located in beautiful Lexington, Ky and is a community gardening organization. Their mission is to provide horticultural training and support the practice of gardening and small-scale farming in urban space. They formed in 2007 as a response to the lack of fresh produce available in North Lexington. Today they have 11 gardens and a slew of educational programming and workshops for adults and children. These programs are designed to get participants gardening whether they have only a windowsill to garden in or an entire acre of land!
One of their oldest programs is SEEDS, which stands for Service, Entrepreneurship and Education in Downtown Spaces. During the months of June and July, middle school age kids are put to work in the garden sowing seeds, weeding and harvesting food. In addition to their hands-on experience growing food, students are taught about tree identification, how to care for plants and soil, and engage in regular cooking classes. For their hard work, participants receive stipends that they can use to purchase back-to-school material and clothing.
Another great program they offer is the Market Gardener program which works with adults 18+ and provides them with farm and horticultural training. After they complete their training, they are given a small parcel of land that they can grow produce on for markets around the area for the growing season. This program addresses barriers that block entry into farming; principally the lack of affordable land and training.
To learn more about this great organization and how you could be involved click here:
https://www.seedleaf.org/how-to-volunteer