Yesterday at 12:54 PM, we received news that has left us reeling.

After more than 15 years, the Washington Neighborhood Community Garden will need to vacate the land we’ve called home. Gary Carner, who has generously allowed us to steward this space for over a decade and a half, will be developing the property this year. We have been asked to be out by mid-May—just about six weeks from now.

This timing is incredibly difficult. We are already in the heart of the growing season. Garlic is in the ground. Plants are started. Plans have been in motion since January. And now, we are facing the reality of relocating everything—with no new space secured.

This garden has never been just a garden.

It has been a place of connection, nourishment, education, and community. What started as a grassroots effort—kept intentionally small so we could stay focused on our purpose—has grown into something deeply meaningful. Together, we have provided thousands of pounds of fresh produce to the neighborhood, freely and with love. We have hosted volunteer days, canning workshops, and educational opportunities. We’ve grown culturally relevant food. We’ve built relationships across languages, ages, and backgrounds. We’ve shown up—every Sunday, rain or shine.

This space has been cared for by so many: Rich Rossignol, Heidi Zull, Ashley Noonan, Laura Klavitter, Ali Levasseur, Shane Lenane, Jean Michel Choquet, Hilary Dalton, and countless others. Supported by partners like local schools, the Multicultural Family Center, the Community Foundation of Dubuque, the City of Dubuque, Sustainable Dubuque with Gina Bell, Eagle Point Solar—and by all of YOU who have volunteered, donated, and believed in this work.

We have built irrigation systems, installed solar panels, created rainwater collection, built infrastructure, planted fruit trees, nurtured grapevines, and even added chickens—something many of us dreamed about for years. This garden has fed bodies and souls.

And now—we are facing the possibility of losing it.

We have 9 chickens and a coop to relocate. Raised beds, water systems, tools, structures, and plants that may not survive a move. Crops that could be lost. Years of labor that may not transfer.

This is heartbreaking.

But we are not ready to let this be the end.

We are asking for your help.

TL;DR — How you can support us right now:

• Do you know of land where our community garden could relocate? Please reach out.

• Can you help with labor—moving materials, rebuilding, transporting? We need you.

• Do you have ideas, connections, or resources? Let’s talk.

• Are you able to donate to help us cover moving costs, equipment loss, and urgent needs (like relocating our chicken coop)? Please consider giving!

This garden has always been a labor of love. Not for recognition. Not for profit. But because we believe deeply in reconnecting people to their food, their land, and each other.

We are grieving. This is a hard, hard pivot.

But we are also holding onto hope—that with this community, we can find a way forward.

Thank you for being part of this with us.