Spring Forward in Q1:

Growth, Community, and Sustainability in Action

Spring has arrived, bringing fresh blooms and a fresh growing season. Over the past month, our team has been gearing up for a season filled with exciting plans and lush greenery. With a packed schedule ahead, we’re ready to dive into a vibrant and productive time.

In partnership with The GSR and Great Basin Food Co Op, we collected 5,097 gallons of green waste. Our green waste program allows us to transform waste that would otherwise go to landfill into nutrient-rich compost that enriches our crop fields, fostering sustainable growth for the season ahead.

We also welcomed volunteers from YogaPod to the garden, officially kicking off our volunteer calendar for the 2025 growing season. Our April schedule is already fully booked, so if you’d like to bring a group to the garden May-October, reach out soon before the remaining slots fill up!

Over the past month, we hosted an incredible 157 volunteer hours, including contributions from our dedicated board of directors. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers, we successfully completed major construction on Hoop House 3 and prepared our brand-new native garden, which will be planted this spring.

In March, we facilitated 94 Same-Day Work and Pay hours, offering meaningful opportunities for earned income to underserved garden neighbors. This initiative not only supports financial stability but also strengthens our community’s connection to the garden and its mission.

So far this year, we’ve expanded our garden with vibrant new plantings, adding 21 elderberry bushes, 200 thriving strawberry plants, and 2 fig trees. These additions will enhance biodiversity, provide fresh harvests, and strengthen our commitment to sustainable growth.

Growing Together: The Power of Monthly Giving

At Soulful Seeds, we believe in the transformative power of community and the impact of collective action. Each day, we see firsthand how access to fresh food and sustainable gardening practices can change lives. Behind every thriving plant and every harvest shared is a story of resilience, care, and commitment.

This spring, we invite you to become a monthly donor and help nurture this mission all year long. Monthly giving goes beyond a simple donation—it fuels long-term change, ensures stability, and strengthens the foundation of our work in neighborhoods that need it most.

Why Monthly Giving Matters

• Empowerment: Your ongoing support provides garden neighbors with essential resources and education, allowing them to grow their own food and build a more resilient community.
• Support for Self-Sufficiency: Gardening is more than just planting—it’s a pathway to independence. Our programs equip individuals with skills to enhance well-being and increase food security.
• Consistent Impact: Every monthly gift—big or small—helps us run programs reliably, ensuring lasting change for those we serve.
• Financial Stability: Predictable funding means we can plan for the future with confidence, sustaining and expanding our services to meet the needs of our community.
• Joining our monthly giving program is more than making a contribution—it’s becoming part of something bigger. It’s ensuring that Soulful Seeds continues to thrive and provide fresh opportunities for growth.

Ready to make an impact that lasts? Consider becoming a monthly donor today.

Get your tickets to our first bowling fundraiser

Bowl for a Cause with Soulful Seeds 

Mark your calendars! On May 8th, join Soulful Seeds for an unforgettable evening at the Grand Sierra Resort filled with laughter, strikes, and the spirit of giving back. This fun-filled night of bowling will directly support our mission to foster community growth and resiliency.

Grab your friends and family, lace up those bowling shoes, and come be a part of an event that combines entertainment with meaningful impact.

We’re also excited to offer sponsorship opportunities for this special event. By becoming a sponsor, your support will amplify the impact of our mission while gaining recognition among our passionate community of supporters.

Ready to be part of the fun? Secure your tickets now!

Buy your tickets here! 

Let the good times roll while supporting a great cause. We can't wait to see you there!

For questions regarding tickets, sponsorships, or the event, please contact Cara Montoya at cara@soulfulseedsnevada.org.

Gratitude for Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation

Expanding Our Impact

At Soulful Seeds, our mission is rooted in growing food, strengthening communities, and ensuring access to fresh, nutritious produce for those who need it most. This work would not be possible without the generosity and support of partners who believe in the power of food equity.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation for their incredible support. Our grant award allows us to expand food production and serve more members of our community. With their partnership, we can grow not only crops but also possibilities—creating sustainable pathways to food security for underserved individuals and families.

Thanks to their investment in our mission, we are able to cultivate greater impact and distribute more fresh food to those in need. Their belief in our work fuels progress, and we are honored to have them as part of our journey toward a healthier, more resilient future.

From all of us at Soulful Seeds, thank you for helping us grow something truly meaningful!

Featured Recipe of the Month:



Black Bean & Garbanzo Shakshuka

Adapted from Prue Leigh’s TV series recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper (red, yellow or orange), chopped

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp chili flakes 

1 14.5 oz can chopped tomatoes with hatch chilies or fire roasted

1 Tbsp tomato paste (optional)

1 can black beans

1 can garbanzo beans

2 limes

4 eggs (omit if vegan)

Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

Crumbled feta (omit if vegan)

1 avocado, diced

Cilantro, chopped

Hot sauce

Serve with crusty bread for dipping

Method:

1. Saute onion and peppers in canola oil and a small amount of water with lid on frying pan until soft. Add garlic for 1 min. 
2. Add paprika, cumin and chilli flakes and saute for 1 min. 
3. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste if using to the pan. Simmer for 10 min.
4. Add the black and garbanzo beans and re-heat. Add the juice of the limes. Stir and then flatten the mixture in the pan with 4 divots.
5. If making vegan version, stop here and serve with appropriate toppings.
6. Crack each of the 4 eggs into the divots made in the mixture. Cover with lid and simmer until the egg whites are cooked but the yolks are still runny - about 5-8 min. 
7. Top with the feta and cover again for feta to heat and melt.
8. Adjust seasonings before serving.
9. Serve with toppings, hot sauce and crusty bread.