Our mission

SEEDS is a nonprofit educational community garden that uses gardening and growing food to teach respect for life, for the earth and for each other.

What we do

We promote principles of sustainable agriculture, organic gardening, food security and environmental stewardship through a variety of garden-based programs for all ages.

Our programs and spaces include:
Southside Demonstration Garden - our 2+ acre main growing space in Downtown Durham, and where most of our programs and events take place.

Garden of Eatin' - a partnership with Durham Central Park, this free-pick edible permaculture garden is maintained by a community of growers.

Durham Inner-city Gardeners - a youth driven urban agriculture and leadership development program for high school-aged youth.

SEEDlings - summer camp and afterschool programs for elementary-aged students focused on engaging, hands-on activities to inspire curiosity, critical thinking and a love of the natural world around us.

Urban Earth - nature-based lessons created to take to classrooms to help teachers inspire love of nature and interest in science. These programs are also available as Field Trips to SEEDS, with a Service Learning component.

Community Gardeners - 28 raised garden beds are available annually for individuals, families and community groups to grow their own food, with materials and technical support from SEEDS.

Neighbor Harvest - an edible garden 'outside the fence' available for all friends, neighbors and passersby to harvest from as produce ripens.

Workshops & Events - hosted throughout the year, these are designed to provide educational opportunities for sustainable living and to build community.