Garden Girl Gang: Growing Sustainable Communities
Donation protected
Welcome/Bienvenidos! We are Stephanie, Madison, Haley, and Christina, founders of Shift Our Ways Collective, a community-centered environmental nonprofit. In 2020, we dedicated our energies to cultivating a Backyard Farm in a Los Angeles food desert. Now, in 2021, we are sharing our eco-hub with our neighbors and volunteers through workshops, youth events, Yoga at the Farm, and more! We are also cultivating a school farm that will empower youth through science & outdoor education. Check out our photos below, our website at sowcollective.org, and our [email redacted]lective to stay updated. We are so grateful for you!
Our Team
Haley is a cultural transplant from China and a master of urban planning candidate at the University of Southern California. As an educator and advocate, Stephanie has followed her heart to work for nonprofits that support human rights and help empower civic engagement among our youth. From the land of 10,000 lakes, Madison is a biologist by trade and farmer by blood who enjoys exploring and encouraging our unique relationships with the natural world. Christina is a Los Angeles native, mother, and mechanical engineer studying at California State University’s Northridge campus.
Our Current Impact
Barren Land Turned Productive: 5,500+ sq ft
Free Fresh Produce for Neighbors: 1,000+ lbs
Compost Diverted from Landfill: 2,000+ lbs
Trash Diverted from Landfills/Waterways: 100+ lbs
Clothing Diverted from Landfill: 100+ lbs
Our Purpose & Core Values
Observing that many communities we hold close to our hearts lack access to sustainable options and deserve more attention from brands and corporations, we knew from the beginning that our collective energy would be fully invested in creating solutions that serve and empower people in our neighborhoods, by working to produce our own sustainable options and hold large businesses accountable. The mission of SOW Collective is to grow sustainable communities. We uphold this by providing collaborative, community-based services that make sustainability inclusive, accessible, and attractive. We envision our nonprofit as a space where communities collaborate to create home-grown solutions to sustainability issues; where we embrace elements of sustainability in our diverse cultures and heritages; and where youth and adults alike are educated on the topic of sustainability through working and playing with the natural environment. To achieve this vision and offer the best support for our communities, SOW Collective adheres to these following
Core Values:
1. Prioritize education, respect science, and encourage innovation
2. Treasure our heritage and take responsibility for our posterity
3. Cultivate authentic, supportive relationships with our communities
4. Amplify our impact through civic engagement and community empowerment
5. Lead positively in the fight for inclusion, fairness, and human rights
Focus Areas
1. Urban Food Systems
We work to build a network of local, organic food systems in the communities we serve. We also close the gap with food waste by partnering with LA Compost to provide local composting services.
2. Waste Reduction
We work to reduce the usage of single-use plastics, divert waste from landfills, provide guidance for your low-waste journey, and advocate for corporate responsibility surrounding waste reduction. Come visit our low-waste, bulk-buy farm stand, ShopShifted.
3. Environmental & Social Advocacy
We believe you can be the educated voice of reason that contributes to industry and system-wide sustainability. Participants will be educated on legislation processes and actively participate in advocating on behalf of communities.
4. Eco-conscious Communities
We are committed to re-imagining our urban environment to prioritize the welfare of both people and nature. This includes increasing green space, pollinator habitat, storm water capture systems, and eco-education for youth.
5. Corporate Accountability
We will implement a science-based, standardized sustainability certificate for brands and corporations as a way to hold them accountable for their practices.
Current Projects & Programs
As an organization that brings opportunity and collaboration, we take great pride in our community-made and inter-sectional projects, which ensure human welfare as well as environmental well being. Our current projects include:
1. Backyard Farm
Located in a food desert with historically limited access to fresh produce, our Backyard Farm has been providing for local families. Collectively, we’ve cultivated more than 11 raised and in-ground beds using no-till, regenerative methods. Using mainly recycled and reclaimed materials from impassioned community members, it has been a low-budget and low-waste project. We’ve collaborated with Fruitstitute and LA Fruit Share to give away over 40 pounds of produce in a single day! We have plans to partner with local schools and will be holding youth science & art activities once it’s safe. SOW Collective’s backyard farm is a safe space to find fresh produce, reconnect with nature, and embrace community.
2. Compost Co-op
SOW Collective is partnering with LA Compost to install and operate a community compost drop-off site. Instead of throwing kitchen scraps into the trash, bring them to us! The 3 bin composting system is being implemented into SOW’s Backyard Farm and will contribute to the health of the plants and the food we produce through feeding and building healthy soils.
3. Small-businesses Working Against Plastics (SWAP)
SOW Collective will work to coalesce our small food businesses to phase out plastic tableware and utensils as well as styrofoams. Our goal for the next year is to replace plastic wares for 30 small food businesses!
Concurrently, SOW Collective is planning to pilot a tableware and scullery service for event vendors to save money on single-use products and for customers to enjoy their food sustainably with little to no waste.
4. Advocacy Chapters
The goal of this program is to empower & educate young professionals to be active in their community councils and local government, so that positive changes in sustainability, as well as social well being, can be supported and upheld.
Budget
This is how our previous GFM donations were spent: ($2,366 raised, $538 remaining for mural)
Our Heritage and Story
SOW Collective’s story begins on the cusp of a global pandemic, when four diverse and innovative young women came together for a larger purpose. Coming from uniquely different backgrounds, we all share a passion to serve others and a drive to create impact through community action. We hit it off almost immediately and decided to create a nonprofit of our own!
However, before we even had time to get to know each other, a lockdown was declared due to COVID-19. As the pandemic wiped out small businesses, the livelihoods and well being of our neighbors became a priority. With the collaborative help from our community members, we transformed an underutilized plot of land in the middle of a Los Angeles food desert into an organic urban farm in just 3 months. Not only have we been providing fresh produce at no cost, we also cultivated a safe space for families to interact with and enjoy nature.
Between laborious days in our backyard farm, we continued to have virtual meetings surrounding our visions and actions towards sustainable communities. Through a process of brainstorming, sharing, critiquing, and reflecting, our nonprofit, Shift Our Ways Collective, was created to bring our best ideas to fruition. Moving forward, SOW Collective has ambitious plans to bring positive change to the communities we serve and shift our ways of living to be more sustainable and connected.
Finally, we want to thank you for your compassion and generosity, and we hope you feel inspired to share our story with others. Together, we will empower each other and heal our Earth for current and future generations. Welcome to our journey!
With immense gratitude,
Shift Our Ways Collective
sowcollective.org
Photos
SOW Collective's Backyard Farm before any work was done.
Practicing a no-till method of layering cardboard to suppress weed growth. Thanks Cindy!
Re-purposed soil & mulch have been laid along with 2 donated garden beds from Mr. List. Thank you!
May 9th and plants are in & growing! Thanks to a whole community of inspiring people coming together.
Garden girl gang in action! Founders left to right: Madison, Haley, Stephanie, Christina. Keeping 6 feet of distance of course.
Giving away fresh, organic produce to local families at no cost. The kids & parents love it!
Also, safely meeting are neighbors by gifting them tomato plants to start growing themselves. A part of our For Neighbors program.
A successful backyard farm that has become the heart of SOW Collective and its neighborhood.
Closing the gap between food waste & soil health with community composting through LA Compost.
We are so grateful for everyone who has helped us on our journey. :)
We hope to continue growing and making a difference in our communities! Thank you for your support!
Our Team
Haley is a cultural transplant from China and a master of urban planning candidate at the University of Southern California. As an educator and advocate, Stephanie has followed her heart to work for nonprofits that support human rights and help empower civic engagement among our youth. From the land of 10,000 lakes, Madison is a biologist by trade and farmer by blood who enjoys exploring and encouraging our unique relationships with the natural world. Christina is a Los Angeles native, mother, and mechanical engineer studying at California State University’s Northridge campus.
Our Current Impact
Barren Land Turned Productive: 5,500+ sq ft
Free Fresh Produce for Neighbors: 1,000+ lbs
Compost Diverted from Landfill: 2,000+ lbs
Trash Diverted from Landfills/Waterways: 100+ lbs
Clothing Diverted from Landfill: 100+ lbs
Our Purpose & Core Values
Observing that many communities we hold close to our hearts lack access to sustainable options and deserve more attention from brands and corporations, we knew from the beginning that our collective energy would be fully invested in creating solutions that serve and empower people in our neighborhoods, by working to produce our own sustainable options and hold large businesses accountable. The mission of SOW Collective is to grow sustainable communities. We uphold this by providing collaborative, community-based services that make sustainability inclusive, accessible, and attractive. We envision our nonprofit as a space where communities collaborate to create home-grown solutions to sustainability issues; where we embrace elements of sustainability in our diverse cultures and heritages; and where youth and adults alike are educated on the topic of sustainability through working and playing with the natural environment. To achieve this vision and offer the best support for our communities, SOW Collective adheres to these following
Core Values:
1. Prioritize education, respect science, and encourage innovation
2. Treasure our heritage and take responsibility for our posterity
3. Cultivate authentic, supportive relationships with our communities
4. Amplify our impact through civic engagement and community empowerment
5. Lead positively in the fight for inclusion, fairness, and human rights
Focus Areas
1. Urban Food Systems
We work to build a network of local, organic food systems in the communities we serve. We also close the gap with food waste by partnering with LA Compost to provide local composting services.
2. Waste Reduction
We work to reduce the usage of single-use plastics, divert waste from landfills, provide guidance for your low-waste journey, and advocate for corporate responsibility surrounding waste reduction. Come visit our low-waste, bulk-buy farm stand, ShopShifted.
3. Environmental & Social Advocacy
We believe you can be the educated voice of reason that contributes to industry and system-wide sustainability. Participants will be educated on legislation processes and actively participate in advocating on behalf of communities.
4. Eco-conscious Communities
We are committed to re-imagining our urban environment to prioritize the welfare of both people and nature. This includes increasing green space, pollinator habitat, storm water capture systems, and eco-education for youth.
5. Corporate Accountability
We will implement a science-based, standardized sustainability certificate for brands and corporations as a way to hold them accountable for their practices.
Current Projects & Programs
As an organization that brings opportunity and collaboration, we take great pride in our community-made and inter-sectional projects, which ensure human welfare as well as environmental well being. Our current projects include:
1. Backyard Farm
Located in a food desert with historically limited access to fresh produce, our Backyard Farm has been providing for local families. Collectively, we’ve cultivated more than 11 raised and in-ground beds using no-till, regenerative methods. Using mainly recycled and reclaimed materials from impassioned community members, it has been a low-budget and low-waste project. We’ve collaborated with Fruitstitute and LA Fruit Share to give away over 40 pounds of produce in a single day! We have plans to partner with local schools and will be holding youth science & art activities once it’s safe. SOW Collective’s backyard farm is a safe space to find fresh produce, reconnect with nature, and embrace community.
2. Compost Co-op
SOW Collective is partnering with LA Compost to install and operate a community compost drop-off site. Instead of throwing kitchen scraps into the trash, bring them to us! The 3 bin composting system is being implemented into SOW’s Backyard Farm and will contribute to the health of the plants and the food we produce through feeding and building healthy soils.
3. Small-businesses Working Against Plastics (SWAP)
SOW Collective will work to coalesce our small food businesses to phase out plastic tableware and utensils as well as styrofoams. Our goal for the next year is to replace plastic wares for 30 small food businesses!
Concurrently, SOW Collective is planning to pilot a tableware and scullery service for event vendors to save money on single-use products and for customers to enjoy their food sustainably with little to no waste.
4. Advocacy Chapters
The goal of this program is to empower & educate young professionals to be active in their community councils and local government, so that positive changes in sustainability, as well as social well being, can be supported and upheld.
Budget
This is how our previous GFM donations were spent: ($2,366 raised, $538 remaining for mural)
Our Heritage and Story
SOW Collective’s story begins on the cusp of a global pandemic, when four diverse and innovative young women came together for a larger purpose. Coming from uniquely different backgrounds, we all share a passion to serve others and a drive to create impact through community action. We hit it off almost immediately and decided to create a nonprofit of our own!
However, before we even had time to get to know each other, a lockdown was declared due to COVID-19. As the pandemic wiped out small businesses, the livelihoods and well being of our neighbors became a priority. With the collaborative help from our community members, we transformed an underutilized plot of land in the middle of a Los Angeles food desert into an organic urban farm in just 3 months. Not only have we been providing fresh produce at no cost, we also cultivated a safe space for families to interact with and enjoy nature.
Between laborious days in our backyard farm, we continued to have virtual meetings surrounding our visions and actions towards sustainable communities. Through a process of brainstorming, sharing, critiquing, and reflecting, our nonprofit, Shift Our Ways Collective, was created to bring our best ideas to fruition. Moving forward, SOW Collective has ambitious plans to bring positive change to the communities we serve and shift our ways of living to be more sustainable and connected.
Finally, we want to thank you for your compassion and generosity, and we hope you feel inspired to share our story with others. Together, we will empower each other and heal our Earth for current and future generations. Welcome to our journey!
With immense gratitude,
Shift Our Ways Collective
sowcollective.org
Photos
SOW Collective's Backyard Farm before any work was done.
Practicing a no-till method of layering cardboard to suppress weed growth. Thanks Cindy!Re-purposed soil & mulch have been laid along with 2 donated garden beds from Mr. List. Thank you!May 9th and plants are in & growing! Thanks to a whole community of inspiring people coming together. Garden girl gang in action! Founders left to right: Madison, Haley, Stephanie, Christina. Keeping 6 feet of distance of course.Giving away fresh, organic produce to local families at no cost. The kids & parents love it!Also, safely meeting are neighbors by gifting them tomato plants to start growing themselves. A part of our For Neighbors program.A successful backyard farm that has become the heart of SOW Collective and its neighborhood.Closing the gap between food waste & soil health with community composting through LA Compost.We are so grateful for everyone who has helped us on our journey. :)We hope to continue growing and making a difference in our communities! Thank you for your support!
Fundraising team: SOW Collective (4)
Madison Jaschke
Organizer
Raised $945 from 19 donations
Los Angeles, CA
Christina Jimenez
Team member
Raised $540 from 13 donations
Stephanie Gomez
Team member
Raised $520 from 14 donations
Haley Feng
Team member
Raised $435 from 9 donations
This team raised $1,558 from 23 other donations.
