About us

Reap, Share, Sustain, Grow

Enhancing community engagement by providing an open, safe, inclusive, and shared space to educate, share and promote a healthy lifestyle.

We are Merrywood Community Garden, a vibrant non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a love for gardening and sustainable living. Our mission is to grow fresh produce and share it with our local community, ensuring everyone has access to healthy food options. We focus on education, offering resources to empower individuals of all ages to cultivate their gardens. Join us in nurturing both the earth and our community!

How we started

The Merrywood Community Garden was born in the spring of 2024 through a collaboration of community members, Catholic Charities, and the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. What began as a shared vision quickly took root as dedicated volunteers broke ground and built the raised beds that form the heart of our garden. From the very beginning, our goal has been to grow fresh produce for the community we love. Merrywood is proud to be a non-denominational, fully accessible garden, open to everyone and rooted in the spirit of togetherness.

What we do

Our community garden brings neighbors together to grow fresh, healthy produce right here in our community. Through the hard work of our volunteers, we build and maintain raised garden beds, plant and tend a variety of crops, and harvest the fruits of our labor throughout the growing season. Finally, the produce we grow is donated to Catholic Charities, helping give everyone in our community access to nourishing, locally grown food.

Ongoing Projects

We are always looking for ways to grow and improve the Merrywood Community Garden experience. Currently, we are working on two exciting additions: a hoop house to extend our growing season well beyond the summer months, and installing sunshades to provide a comfortable gathering space for volunteers and visitors alike. These projects reflect our ongoing commitment to making Merrywood a welcoming, productive, and sustainable space for the entire community.

Education

We believe that growing food is about more than just the harvest — it's about learning, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the natural world. We frequently partner with area schools to bring students into the garden, where they can get their hands dirty and discover the joy of growing things firsthand. Through these partnerships, we hope to inspire the next generation of gardeners and cultivate a lasting appreciation for fresh food, sustainability, and community.