Grant recipients

Community Grant Spotlight

Restoring the Fairgrounds Garden

Volunteers from the Crown Point Garden Club prepared the garden beds and planted new perennials purchased through a 2026 Lake County Master Gardeners Association Community Grant.

A Garden Renewed (Crown Point Garden Club)

The restored demonstration garden now welcomes thousands of Lake County Fair visitors each year with colorful plantings and educational plant identification markers.

Teamwork in the Garden (Cedar Lake)

Volunteers preparing raised beds at Potawatomi Park’s new community garden.

🌿 2026 Grant impact

Growing Gardens. Growing Community.

The Lake County Master Gardeners Association is proud to support local organizations using gardening to educate, nourish, and connect our communities.

In 2026, our grants are funding projects across Lake County that expand access to fresh food, enhance public spaces, and create meaningful hands-on learning experiences for all ages.

🌼 Our Impact

This year's grants are helping to:

🌿 Expand community gardens that bring people together

🥕 Grow fresh produce for families and food programs

🌸 Beautify parks and public spaces

📚 Support education for youth, adults, and seniors

🌻 Create inclusive opportunities for individuals of all abilities

🌎 Preserve local heritage through culturally meaningful gardens

🌷 Featured Projects Across Lake County

This year’s grants are making an impact by:

Community & Food Access

Gardens providing fresh produce for local families in need
Food pantry partnerships and community harvest programs
Community Help Network and St. Vincent de Paul initiatives

Education & Youth Programs

Junior Master Gardener programming in Gary schools
Student-led and vocational training gardens
Hands-on learning spaces for all ages

Public Spaces & Beautification

Park improvements in Cedar Lake
Enhancements to courthouse, fairgrounds, and community gardens
Ongoing beautification and planting projects

Inclusive & Therapeutic Gardening

Programs supporting adults with disabilities
Senior-focused community garden initiatives
Wellness-focused spaces like yoga gardens

Heritage & Environmental Education

Development of an indigenous garden celebrating Potawatomi heritage
Educational materials and self-guided garden tours

🌿 Communities We Reached Across Lake County

Munster • Cedar Lake • Highland • Crown Point • Gary • Whiting • Merrillville • Hobart • St. John • Hammond

🌻 Rooted in Our Mission

These projects reflect our mission of Helping Others Grow—supporting education, sustainability, and community connection through gardening.

We are grateful to partner with these incredible organizations and look forward to seeing these gardens grow and thrive.

📍 LCMGA: COMMUNITY IMPACT IN ACTION

Thanks to the support of our members and the success of our fundraising efforts, the Lake County Master Gardeners Association is proud to award grants that support gardening and community programs throughout Lake County.

In 2026, our grants are already making an impact across the county—supporting community gardens, expanding access to fresh food, enhancing public spaces, and creating meaningful educational opportunities for all ages.

In June 2025, we awarded a grant to Community Help Network in Crown Point to support their Summer Food Program.

Their community garden provides fresh produce for local families, helping to reduce food insecurity and promote healthier living.

In their words:

“Your support is helping us sustain critical programs that serve food-insecure children and families in our community. Our Community Garden is planted, tilled and producing, and we can distribute some fresh produce at our Summer Food Program. Your generosity helps us meet growing needs of those we serve.”

— Bonnie J. Meyer, Executive Director

Community Help Network

In 2026, we are proud to continue supporting organizations like Community Help Network, along with many others throughout Lake County—growing food, supporting education, and strengthening our communities one garden at a time.

2026 GRANT RECIPIENTS