Our charity began with a fairly focused mission. We wanted to build community homesteads in order to address a few issues. We wanted to increase healthy food in food insecure areas. We wanted to educate anyone who was interested in learning how to grow their own food and become more self sufficient. We wanted to expose pressing threats to our agriculture and ranching in the United States.

 

To that end we began by developing free ebooks and educational programs on our site The Greenhorn Guides.

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Then, at the end of September a tragedy occurred.

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Hurricane Helene brought widespread destruction to Western North Carolina, causing catastrophic damage to the region's infrastructure, homes, and natural landscapes. Torrential rains led to severe flooding, washing out roads, bridges, and entire communities. The mountainous terrain exacerbated the impact, as swollen rivers and landslides tore through valleys, leaving countless residents stranded and displaced. High winds uprooted trees and downed power lines, plunging thousands into darkness for days. The storm not only devastated the built environment but also inflicted lasting harm on agriculture and wildlife, further straining recovery efforts. The resilient spirit of the community was tested as emergency responders and volunteers worked tirelessly to rebuild and support those affected.

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Here We Grow made the decision to use our ability as a 501(c)(3) and paired up with Operation Shelter, an initiative that was on the ground in Western North Carolina before the rain had even subsided. What we saw was that the community, local and from the surrounding areas, banded together to care for each other.

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We remain ever focused on community development and the power of the human spirit to be self-sufficient. At Here We Grow, above all else, we are rooted in purpose.