Growing Places Indy ushers spring into the circle city

As the weather warms and the trees bloom, community gardens around central Indiana begin their annual task of preparing their spaces for their upcoming planting season. Growing Places Indy (GPI) is one such cultivator, owning and operating two of the city’s most well-known community gardens – one in White River State Park, the other at the Boner Fitness and Learning Center. An Indianapolis-based nonprofit, Growing Places Indy cultivates wellness through their central ideas of growing well, eating well, living well, and being well. Through their initiatives, events, farmers markets and other projects around the city, their team seeks to cultivate wellness through agriculture and mind-body education. “Growing Places is not just about giving the community access to food, it’s about building a community and creating shared spaces. It’s about more intangible things than just produce,” said Nick Schwaberow, director of farm operations. Both Growing Places Indy farm locations provide spaces for the community to take part in learning activities and growing their own food. They also offer produce to the public. Through the “grow getters” program, local community members can apply to lend 12 hours of their time from April-December to participate in the planting process. The program features activities...