07/13/2026
I donāt really know how to talk about thisā¦
This past weekend was hard.
Three months ago, Jade Earth Project planted its very first community garden on donated land. With that garden & another across town, weāve been able to grow and donate 390 pounds of fresh produce to local families in our first three months as an organization.
Three hundred and ninety in three months. š„¹
Last week, I wouldāve told you I was exhaustedā¦ but incredibly proud. (& I am)
Then, almost overnight, everything changed.
The property owner asked us to leave.
A garden bursting with tomatoes, corn, okra, beans, peas, cucumbersā¦ food that, in my heart, already belonged to hungry familiesā¦ is suddenly out of our hands.
Iāll be honest. It hurts.
Not just because we lost a garden, but because after hours of work digging trenches and burying soaker hoses, coordinating work days, hauling truckloads of soil and planting dozens of plants,ā¦ after pouring so much energy and love into this garden, I was told weād been a disappointment.
Those words stungā¦ & it would be easy to feel like a failure. But I know that is not true.
You donāt donate 390 pounds of fresh food in your first three months and call that failure.
This week has shown me that when you choose to build something that serves others, not everyone will understand it.
Some people will cheer you on.
Some will show up.
Some will criticize.
And sometimes, what youāve worked so hard to build can disappear with a single text message.
Thatās the reality of purpose.
This week also made something crystal clearā¦
Jade Earth Project needs a permanent home.
A place where gardens canāt be taken away. Where families can always harvest. Where volunteers can always gather. Where the work belongs to the community forever.
So yesā¦ Iām heartbroken.
And yesā¦ Iām angry.
But more than anything, Iām determined.
Because Jade Earth was never about one garden.
Itās about making sure the next one, and every one after that, has roots no one can pull up.
This moment does not define us, but it will refine us. & when the tears clear, we will be better for it.
To every person who offers encouragement, a helping hand, or shares our story with a friendā¦ Thank you. In moments like these, you are a reminder of why we are here, sweating in the Summer sun.
We are here to make a lasting change in our community, and we will continue to do just that.
š±šš- Amber Glaze, President.
