retirement communities

Sage Gardeners will create, build, and assist in maintaining accessible raised organic vegetable gardens to retirement communities in Gallatin County. With the help of local volunteers, students, Master Gardener volunteers, and the community itself, maintaining and harvesting the gardens create many beneficial opportunities for seniors. Although our goal is to ultimately see the seniors maintain the gardens themselves.  The rewards and benefits from senior gardening are numerous; many studies have shown that gardening promotes mobility and flexibility, mental stimulation, social development and interaction, as well as improvement in motivation. Most importantly, we want to increase their quality of life and reduce isolation. Gardening also offers hope, sense of pride, and creates generational connections when the opportunity to teach is available. Organic vegetable gardens provide safe, clean, and healthy produce for people that would otherwise go without. Vegetable gardens give back to more than just seniors; they give back to their families, neighbors, and the community.

Our community projects usually commence in early spring as the ground begins to thaw. We partner with local companies and regional contractors to begin the installation of the accessible pathways if needed and add/ build raised garden beds thereafter. Planting will take place as weather permits, usually in two phases: planting seeds and planting starts. Maintaining, harvesting, and tending will take place as needed. Annual maintenance will be included as part of each ongoing project. Produce will be provided to all residents with any leftover abundance given to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.