Iowa Gardening for Good

Mission: To provide agricultural expertise and logistical support to increase local food production and supply local needs/charitable purposes by involving youth and other community volunteers.

Iowa Gardening for Good is a501(c)(3) created by the Blackmer family that focuses on involving people in growing things of value for a good cause. Our home and “gardening” location is near Madrid, Iowa which is roughly half way between Ames and Des Moines. We live on a hobby farm of about 20 acres. Our property is not a commercial ag production facility. Although the location is a farmstead that previously engaged in raising hogs and growing corn, soybeans and hay, the Blackmers are not engaged in any commercial ag production at their location.

Currently, our largest project involves producing vegetables that are distributed through local food pantries and other partner agencies.  We use our land and donate use of our equipment to grow vegetables and Tracy offers his gardening knowledge to supervise the project. The primary labor source we use is volunteers that are scheduled throughout the growing season.  We are deeply appreciative for all the help we have received in making our ideas and projects a reality and for friendships that have been made through Iowa Gardening for Good projects.