Growing Community, One Garden at a Time

2015 Annual Report

DeKalb CountyCommunity Gardens

Index

DCCG At-a-Glance…………………………………………………..2

Mission Statement …………………………………………………....3

About DCCG …………………………………………………………..4

Community Partnerships …………………………………………....5

Volunteer Spotlight…………………………………………………....6

Location Highlight.…………………………………………………….7

Production.……………………………………………………………...8Financial Information…………………………………………………9

Challenges…………………………………………………………….10

Coming in 2016……………………………………………………….11

To Our Sponsors.………………………………………………………12

1

DCCG At-a-GlanceDCCG manages over 15 acres, including 200 raised garden beds.

In four growing seasons, DCCG has grown 55,390 lbs. of

vegetables, equal to over 27 tons.

The organization has over 70 partnerships and sponsors.

2014 ended with a net income of $44,394.53. The expected 2015

net income is $300.

DCCG has three paid staff members—one AmeriCorps Vista and two Lead Growers.

The organization’s main challenge is adapting to rapid growth. In 2016, DCCG will offer new and unique programming, such as

Food and Talk Round Tables.

Donors and volunteers are integral to DCCG’s success.

2

Mission Statement DeKalb County Community Gardens strengthens access to fresh, local, sustainably-grown food to people in need.

3

ABOUT:DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG) is an innovative approach to end hunger and food insecurity in DeKalb County, by providing access to fresh, local, sustainably-grown organic vegetables for all who may be in need. DCCG manages over 15 acres of growing space. In two short years DCCG has produced nearly ten tons of food donated to local food pantries, day care centers, schools, community meal locations, senior citizen centers and housing units, as well as to the meals on wheels program. DCCG has gardens all over the County, with over 200 raised beds as well as large acreages.

4

We have created working partnerships with neighborhoods, schools, non-profit

organizations, municipalities, County government, park districts, forest

preserve district, businesses, hospitals, family health centers, foundations, and

churches. DCCG is also working with Kishwaukee Family YMCA, Kish Health Systems, and Live Healthy DeKalb County, as well as Northern Illinois University and Kishwaukee College. DCCG has over 70 partnerships and sponsors.

Community Partnerships5

“The part that I love is that even though I am one person, the amount of impact that I have is great. With any great cause, even if you are only one person, your efforts matter.”

Tracy Coyle, Malta Elementary School Librarian

Tricia DeBoo & Peter Schram

Peter and Tricia started gardening 18 years ago

when they bought their Sycamore property.

Having the skills and interests that would be of

use to DCCG, they started to become regular

volunteers. They believe that “no person should

go hungry” and DCCG offers opportunities to

address the issue on a local base.

Tracy grew up with a grandmother who had

a passion for gardening. Her grandmother’s

green thumb would inspire Tracy to continue

that love of the outdoors through

photographing nature, camping with family,

and gardening and volunteering with the

DeKalb Community Gardens.

Volunteer Spotlight6

Location Highlight: Walnut GroveLocated in Kirkland, Illinois, The

Walnut Grove Vocational Farm is a

new program of DeKalb County

Community Gardens. These

gardens serve individuals from

Opportunity House of Sycamore,

Gracie Center of Kingston, the Life

School of Sycamore High School,

as a recreational outlet to those

with special needs.

DCCG is also working with

Intersect for Ability of Rockford

and Access Service of Northern

Illinois to make this agriculturally-

based experience available to

other individuals with special

needs from Boone, Winnebago,

and Ogle Counties.

“There are hundreds of individuals with special needs who can benefit from a farm experience like this.” -Matt Toohey, Director of Rockford-based Access for Services of Northern Illinois. 7

DCCG Production: 2012-2015

The chart above shows an estimated number of

produce collected and calculated by sites and year.

2,500

7,500

21,000

24,390

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

2012 2013 2014 2015Pro

du

ce

Yie

ld (

in p

ou

nd

s)

Year

DCCG Annual Growing Season Yield Over the past four

growing seasons,

the produce yield

has amounted to

55,390 lbs.

Many vegetables

were collected

from DCCG sites,

Walnut Grove, and

Indian Creek.

Others were

donated by local

farms and harvests,

such as apples and

sweet corn.

8

Financial Information

Revenue: $108,650

Expenses: $108,300(Including approximately $50,000 in personnel costs)

Net Income (Loss): $350

DCCG ended the 2014 calendar year with

a net income of $44,394.53.

9

ChallengesSince our initial growing season in 2012, DCCG has

experienced rapid growth. Our main challenge is learning to

adapt and become sustainable with a large number of

episodic volunteers. The organization currently has only three

paid staff members—one AmeriCorps Vista and two Lead

Growers. As DCCG continues on with the strategic planning process, we will analyze our organization and determine the

best way to structure paid and volunteer staffing, in order to

best achieve our mission.

10

Coming in 2016Food and Talk Round-TablesA program where guest chefs will prepare a meal with vegetables grown in our gardens, and demonstrate how to incorporate them in meals. DCCG will also host a discussion on food-related issues, such as nutrition, and barriers to access.

11

To Our Sponsors

As we head into 2016, DeKalb County Community

Gardens would like to express its sincere gratitude

to our sponsors and volunteers. Without your

generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure, DCCG

would not have the ability to carry out its mission.

Because of you, DCCG is able to continue to bring

fresh, local, sustainable produce to those in need,

while bringing attention to food-related issues.

Thank you!

12

DeKalb County Community GardensP.O. Box 348 DeKalb, IL 60115

DeKalbGardens.org 815-793-0950

Growing Community, One Garden at a Time

Created By:

Danielle Nunez

Paulina Snopek

Jennifer Komis