When the Benton County Commission donated 23 acres of land to Second Harvest Food Bank, they didn’t realize they had created a golden opportunity to revolutionize the fight against hunger. This land grant marked the establishment of Second Harvest’s Ray Smith Family Distribution Center, and the 18 acres of unused land were ripe for innovation. This sparked Project Grow.

Project Grow, a pioneering two-year agricultural initiative by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, is more than just a farm. It’s a community-centric program with multifaceted goals: engaging the agricultural community, increasing volunteer participation, providing educational opportunities, and producing high-quality, nutritious food for our neighbors in need. The project has already seen impressive results in its first year, with over 104 volunteers harvesting nearly 2,500 pounds of food.

How does Project Grow work? It’s divided into four key areas:

Teachable Garden

Row Style Garden

Pollinator Barrier

Soil Amendment Area

Project Grow stands as a shining example of how agriculture can be used not only to produce food but also as a tool to educate, engage, and enrich a community. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is setting the standard for a healthier, more sustainable future for all involved.