Grow & Gather
Grow & Gather: An Urban Food Forest at the Innovation Barn is a thriving ecosystem designed to nourish both people and wildlife, featuring a diverse array of fruit trees, fruit bushes, herbs, vegetables, and vibrant pollinator flowers. As a certified wildlife habitat and part of the butterfly highway, it provides a sanctuary for birds, bees, and butterflies while teaching people how to co-exist harmoniously with nature. Emphasizing the principles of nature’s original circular economy, this space models sustainability through water reuse systems such as rain gardens and ponds, eliminating the need for chemicals or mowing. It serves as a safe and welcoming gathering space for the community, fostering connections while feeding both people and the surrounding ecosystem.
These organizations helped us create the Grow & Gather Urban Food Forest at the Innovation Barn, and they can support your foodscape projects too!
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
North Carolina Native Plant Society Southern Piedmont Chapter
NC State Master Gardeners Mecklenburg
City of Charlotte Landscape Management Pollinator Gardening