Growing Together Community Garden Ministry, sponsored jointly by Fargo First United Methodist Church and Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota recently received the 2015 Martin Luther King Award.

Growing Together is a community gardening group composed of more than 200 diverse individuals and families, who grow and share thousands of pounds of produce from community gardens each year. For over eight years, the families, primarily new Americans, come together each week and work in the community gardens. While the produce is the most visible product of this effort, it is the deep friendship, sense of community, and connections to the earth that are developed.

Over 6,000 new Americans from 40 countries have re-settled in Fargo since 2000. That's about 2 percent of the greater population. The refugees have come from places like Bosnia, Liberia, Iraq, and Bhutan.  Many new Americans find themselves struggling to make ends meet in a new world.  The garden connects people from across the world and Fargo in a unique way.  It is truly a chance for everyone involved to grow in love for God and neighbor.

The Growing Together Community Garden Ministry was started by Olivet Lutheran Church.  When the garden needed a new home, Fargo First United Methodist Church offered a spot for the garden ministry at the south location of the church.  Last year the group raised enough produce for 250 families, including 20,000 lbs of tomoatoes

Fargo Human Relations Commission gave the award at a celebration in honor of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fargo Theatre. The 15th annual event featured the Native American Hand Drum Honor Song and performances by the local musicians, Treo’ Soul, video presentations, and the Fargo Human Relations Award presentations by Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney.

Click below to watch a video about the Growing Together Community Garden