Lutheran Services in Iowa has found a new home for its program that seeks to educate families on farming and help them launch their own businesses, selling the plants and produce they learned to grow.
The nonprofit headquartered in Des Moines recently purchased Dogpatch Urban Gardens for its Global Greens program, which works with immigrants, refugees and other people interested in becoming entrepreneurs through farming. The 1.3-acre urban garden at 4600 NW 51st St. in Des Moines comes with a 1,300-square-foot building, two heated greenhouses and a tool shed, according to the online listing.
It also has a small building that previous owners Jenny and Eric Quiner used as a free food pantry for community members.
“We are so excited to be in charge of our own destiny and be able to provide critical greenhouse space for our Global Greens program and the farmers we serve,” CEO Renee Hardman said. “It is an opportunity for LSI to demonstrate our firm commitment to welcoming and empowering newcomers despite the changing landscape.”
How much did LSI pay for Dogpatch?
LSI bought the garden, which the Quiners opened in 2017, for $435,000, said Nicholas Wuertz, who oversees the organization’s immigrant and refugee services. Reserve funds were used to purchase the lot on the city’s far north side.
Wuertz said the Quiners also made a $100,000 gift of equity to LSI.
The Quiners announced last August their plans to shutter Dogpatch’s doors. In a newsletter, Jenny spoke of devoting more time to rest, family and another business.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Quiners,” said Wuertz, crediting the couple for cultivating a “great community of people” since they launched Dogpatch in 2017.
Why did LSI purchase the urban garden?
The reason was simple — space.
Zac Couture, Global Greens’ land and production supervisor, said the program has long needed a real home — one central location, where people have access to a greenhouse for crops, can store tools and supplies, and host plant sales and other events. Throughout the years, LSI has rented greenhouse space in the Des Moines metro, including Faith and Grace Garden in West Des Moines.
At one point, program participants even traveled as far as Boone, he said.
Last year, after scrambling for lots, Wuertz said LSI landed at Dogpatch and rented its greenhouse.
Owning Dogpatch is a “game-changer” for Global Greens, Couture said. Farmers can grow plants and produce on a larger scale. Customers looking to pick up plant purchases can grab them at the site instead of LSI’s office.
It’s a hub, where the program’s possibilities seem endless, Couture said.
Wuertz and Couture have already begun thinking about hosting an open house next spring to coincide with an annual plant sale.
How to help
To learn more about Lutheran Services in Iowa’s Global Greens program, visit the website at lsiowa.org/ircs/global-greens/. For volunteer opportunities, email volunteer@lsiowa.org.
F. Amanda Tugade covers community and faith for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on X @writefelissa.
This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: LSI buys Dogpatch Urban Farms to grow its refugee farming program
Reporting by F. Amanda Tugade, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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