2025 has been a year of collaboration, with the support of this community that continues to make our work possible. This year we grew both our number of growers and classes offered. We saw so many gardeners and farmers show up and work hard to grow food and their skills throughout the year. With your support, we can rise to meet the challenges ahead and grow local food in Lincoln.

We've spent a lot of time talking about what makes growing your own food so special. Of course we know how important a diet rich in fruits and veggies is for our health, but we find there is so much more happening in our program.

Growing Community

Our growers talk about how their plots make them feel. Time in nature and community can relieve stress and improve your mental health. It can reduce loneliness and isolation by helping you feel more connected. It brings people a sense of pride and ownership over their space and the incredible produce they grow. It can allow you to build or carry on family and cultural traditions. Growing your own food is truly something special and is more important than ever.

New Sites, Conserving Resources

We were thrilled to add our newest community garden in the Belmont neighborhood this season. We hope you'll visit this beautiful garden that has already created so much abundance and opportunity for our growers. We have also expanded capacity for growers at our Air Park Farm and continue to make progress for two new sites that will open in 2026. We've also continue our focus on conservation, both in how we manage our sites and in the education we share with growers. Our natural resources are scarce, so helping families grow food while caring for the land is a critical investment in our community's future.

Making Food Accessible

The resources our neighbors have to access food is changing. Community Crops is ready to do our part to meet the growing need through creative, responsive programs. We create affordable and accessible pathways to growing your own food with land access and learning to help growers succeed.

Hope is a powerful thing. Planting a seed for tomorrow is fundamentally a hope-filled act. It grounds people in their community and allows them a measure of control over food, a basic need for all of us.

 We need your support more than ever to help us create the kind of abundance our community needs. Your gift today will ensure we can support more families to grow their own food and feed our community. 

New in 2026: Community Crops Grower Society

By contributing or pledging $100 or more in 2026 to Community Crops, you’ll be a part of the Community Crops Grower Society, receiving:

Exclusive Farm Tour held in June
Welcome letter and impact report in January
First chance to pre-order vegetable and herb starts at our annual Plant Sale
Early ticket open for annual Feast on the Farm
Recognition on following year’s impact report

Growers see how planting a small seed can grow into something that connects and sustains us, supporting us at home and in our community. Thank you again for this year’s support of Community Crops – we’re grateful to join you in the garden.

About Community Crops

Community Crops was began with one community garden in 2003, and has grown over the years to 11 community garden sites, three training farms, one production greenhouse, free educational classes for all ages, and more.

About Family Service Lincoln: Family Service Lincoln was founded in 1891 as the first charitable organization in Lincoln, Nebraska. Programming has evolved over the years to meet the needs of families and the current conditions in our community. Today, we’re proud to provide case management, housing support, behavioral health therapy, expanded learning opportunities, and nutrition and food programs to thousands of households each year. Our mission of “Helping Families Thrive” embodies the impact we have across all six tracks of programming. Community Crops proudly joined Family Service Lincoln as their sixth division of programming in January 2023.

Community Crops 2025 Year End Giving Campaign!

Help us reach our goal for another great year of building community and a resilient local food system!