>> The Spirit of Our Legacy

legacyGUIDING PRINCIPLES

  • The Earth is our responsibility — our Sacred Garden.
  • The Earth is our teacher.
  • We realize that a garden is a microcosm of the whole Earth.
  • When we create a garden, we become a Community of Caring.
  • When we create a garden, we become a Learning Center.

We believe that the natural world — the marvelous interwoven communities of plants, animals and other creatures formed through the agencies of Fire, Water, Air and Earth —   is truly our first Teacher, our first Classroom and Curriculum.

Each smaller garden — whether in a container pot, a courtyard or vegetable patch, as a farm or ranch or forest preserve — presents the same basic challenge: to care for, preserve, and nurture it.

When we come together in the creation of any art form — garden, mosaic, mural, pathway or water feature — a community of caring people is born. The quality of work we create generates pride, self-reliance, and a genuine respect for plants, creatures, and ourselves.

ORIGINS OF GARDENS FOR HUMANITY

Founded in 1996 by Adele Seronde and fellow artists with earnings from our group exhibition, Gardens for Humanity has expanded its membership to include scientists, educators, community organizers, business- and laymen — people of all sorts who love gardening and see it and art as both healing and creative processes. Our current focus has evolved to tell the stories of and support grass-roots visionary leaders, who create gardens in the mind and heart as well as in the soil.

Our Story, our Vision, our Accomplishments and more Garden Resources are found in our LEGACY web site >

A BRIDGE TO CURRENT PROGRAMS

Diane Dearmore, our past president in 2008 and 2009, planted the seeds to help us grow our evolving organization. Diane was instrumental in beginning what we now call an “Agricultural Renaissance.”

Through her contacts with educators, local food producers, master gardeners, the business community, local government agencies, and community organizations, Diane energized many new and on-going initiatives. Under her leadership the Board of Directors set new goals and developed the strategies to accomplish them.

The Annual Spring Planting Festival, conceived and organized by board member Ruth Hartung, was realized with Diane’s leadership and encouragement. The Festival has brought attention to the agricultural legacy of native peoples and settlers in our region, and to current challenges for food security, water rights and environmental impacts. This Festival is now an important focal point of our yearly cycle of service.

As a result of Diane’s vision and guidance, Gardens for Humanity has broadened its mission for the next season of our work.