Support CROPS
 

Mission Statement

Community CROPS: Combining Resources, Opportunities, and People for Sustainability increases food security for refugee, immigrant and low-income people in Nebraska through asset-based community development that provides resources and technical assistance to grow, market and add value to locally-grown agricultural products.

History

Community CROPS was started by Andy Witkowski with one community garden in 2003, and then grown through the efforts of Andy and Kim Matthews to become a successful program. In 2007, CROPS has eleven community garden sites, a training farm, a successful Community Supported Agriculture program, a regular stand at the new Old Cheney Road Farmers' Market, and more.

Community CROPS currently has four staff members, one AmeriCorps member, and numerous volunteers who help with our projects, as well as a great group of farmers and gardeners.

Current Staff

  • Ingrid Kirst, Director. Ingrid has been the director since July 2005. She has many years of experience both gardening and working in the non-profit sector.
  • Brad Kindler, Assistant Director. Brad works with all aspects of the project, including the gardens and farms. He also works with young people as part of the Urban Youth Agricultural Initiative.
  • Diane Nelson, AmeriCorps Member, works with the community gardens.
  • Leslie Pillen, Farm Manager, is helping us develop Sunset Community Farms into a model training farm.

You may contact CROPS staff members by e-mail by using addresses as such: <firstname>@communitycrops.org

Contact Information

Community CROPS
1551 S. 2nd Street
Lincoln NE 68502
(402) 474-9802
crops@communitycrops.org

Our Funders

CROPS is funded by a number of local and national funding sources including:

  • Lincoln Community Foundation
  • Woods Foundation
  • Cooper Foundation
  • Heifer Project, International
  • Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation
  • State of Nebraska Value Added Agriculture Program
  • Renewing Earth and Its People Fund
  • Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
  • Community Health Endowment
  • Numerous individuals and businesses