New Beginnings: SEED Chattanooga Steps Boldly into 2026
As we welcome 2026, SEED Chattanooga stands on the threshold of an exciting new chapter. What started as a passionate vision to empower Chattanooga residents with the knowledge and tools to grow their own healthy food has grown into a thriving, community-driven force for sustainability, food literacy, and holistic well-being.
In recent months, we celebrated several monumental milestones that solidify our non-profit and open doors to greater impact:
Official 501(c)(3) Status: We received our IRS Letter of Determination, officially recognizing SEED Chattanooga as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. This achievement allows us to expand our reach, attract more partners and donors, and ensure long-term sustainability for our mission.
The UNFoundation Grant: We were honored to receive a transformative grant from The UNFoundation, a Chattanooga-based giving circle that pools community contributions to fund innovative projects making our city more awesome. This local support perfectly aligns with our work in community gardening, food access, and environmental education, and it will fuel programs that strengthen food security and community health right here in Chattanooga.
Step ONE Teaching Garden Grant from Hamilton County: We were thrilled to be awarded the Hamilton County Health Department's Step ONE Teaching Garden Grant, recognizing our efforts to promote healthy eating and active living through garden-based education.
Generous In-Kind Donation: In addition, we received a separate $500 gift in products, resources, and materials to directly support our 12 raised garden beds across our two partner sites: the Jessie Igou Eastdale Community Center and Hardy Elementary School. This thoughtful contribution will help us maintain and enhance these essential community spaces.
These new beginnings mark a turning point. With stronger infrastructure and renewed resources, we're poised to deepen our roots and branch out further than ever before.
🌿 Reflecting on Our Growth in 2025
Building on the momentum from our partnerships with gems like the Jessie Igou Eastdale Community Center and Hardy Elementary School, we restored and maintained twelve raised garden beds, living classrooms that brought joy, learning, and fresh produce to families across the city.
These spaces sparked magic:
Children planted their first seeds, discovering the wonder of soil health and plant life cycles.
Volunteers from all corners of Chattanooga poured in their time, energy, and cultural traditions.
Neighbors co-created harvests that nourished bodies and built lasting connections.
At SEED Chattanooga, community members aren't just participants, they're leaders and co-creators. This shared ownership has turned our gardens into resilient, self-sustaining hubs of empowerment.
🌱 Planting Seeds for 2026 and Beyond
With our new status and grant support, we're energized to expand and innovate. In 2026, SEED Chattanooga will:
Launch enhanced educational programs, reaching more youth and families with hands-on gardening and culinary workshops focused on sustainability and nutrition.
Forge new community partnerships, transforming underused spaces in additional neighborhoods into vibrant, productive gardens.
Develop an engaging, garden-based curriculum that inspires environmental stewardship for all ages.
Boost food access by scaling up production of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for Chattanooga families.
Offer more leadership and volunteer opportunities, empowering residents to own and lead their community gardens.
Our organization is stronger than ever, and our vision remains clear: to cultivate thriving, self-sustaining communities where everyone has the tools to grow health, resilience, and connection, to the earth, to fresh food, and to one another.
Thank you to our volunteers, partners, donors, and community for making this growth possible. Together, we're planting the seeds for a healthier, more equitable Chattanooga.
Let's grow in 2026!
The SEED Chattanooga Team
