Hi everyone,

I am organizing this campaign to help raise funds for an innovative, sustainable community fellowship garden project at The Fortress in Willmar, Minnesota.

The Fortress is a faith-based recovery center where men come to rebuild their lives through Christ, community, accountability, and a new way of living. Many of us arrive here lost, broken, empty, and unsure of what the future holds. But through faith, repentance, hard work, and the grace of God, we begin to see that our story is not over.

Now, we want to create something that reflects that transformation in a powerful and visible way: The Fortress Garden.

To follow the journey, see updates, read our interactive blog, and learn more about the vision behind this project, visit:

https://Thefortress.garden

This garden will be more than a place to grow vegetables. It will be a sanctuary of healing, purpose, and restoration. As men work the soil, plant seeds, pull weeds, water crops, and watch life rise from the ground, they will also be reminded of the work God is doing within them. Recovery is a lot like gardening. It takes patience, surrender, discipline, care, and faith that something new can grow from what once felt barren.

Our vision is to build a large community garden that will help supplement our food pantry, provide fresh produce for the men at The Fortress, and eventually allow us to share the harvest with the wider community through local outreach and farmers market opportunities.

We come to The Fortress lost, broken, and empty. But by putting God first and walking the path of repentance, we begin to lay down the weight of our past and step into a new life. Now, we want to let the world watch as we cultivate the soil, grow in purpose, and bear the fruits of a new harvest in our community.

Funds raised will help us purchase the tools, soil, seeds, plants, equipment, irrigation supplies, fencing, and materials needed to bring this garden to life.

Every donation, large or small, helps plant something meaningful. You are not just helping us grow food. You are helping grow hope, responsibility, healing, and purpose in the lives of men who are working to become who God created them to be.

*Our Stretch Goal

​Our initial goal is $4,000 to fully fund the materials, structures, and seeds for The Fortress Gardens. Should we be blessed enough to exceed this goal, all additional funds will be utilized as unrestricted support to empower our broader mission. This includes:

​Facility & Grounds Maintenance: Ensuring our buildings and parking lots remain safe and accessible for residents and visitors.

​Essential Food Programs: Providing nutritional support for the men in our care.

​The Women's Fortress Project: Aiding the development of our upcoming family shelter in Kerkhoven, MN—a newly donated building being transformed into a safe haven for 14 families.

​Your generosity, no matter the amount, helps us continue our mission of providing restorative environments for those in need.

Thank you for believing in this project, supporting The Fortress, and helping us create a place where life can bear fruit.

Cultivating the soil. Rooted in Christ.