Some projects grow quietly. Others grow into something a whole community carries pride in. Grace Garden has done both. 

In 2021, volunteers broke ground on soil untouched for 35 years. Rich Gaumer saw a TV feature and gathered a small group to try a 100 square foot garden. The goal was modest: two hundred pounds would be a win. Potatoes went into the ground during a snow shower. By season’s end, Grace Garden produced 2,545 pounds of fresh food for local food pantries, churches, and neighbors. 

The next year brought lessons in soil health and crop selection. By 2023, Grace Garden hit its stride. A fence was built to protect crops, and a grant from the Ottumwa Legacy Foundation helped purchase a garden shed. A volunteer donated a scale so every harvest could be weighed before delivery. Volunteers multiplied, and the harvest reached 6,738 pounds, including 3,930 pounds of tomatoes. 

In 2024, new infrastructure helped crops thrive. Flowers along the edges sparked an unexpected ministry, with bouquets delivered to shut-ins and care centers. Weather shaped the harvest in what became the year of the cucumber, with 8,331 pounds of produce. 

The 2025 season marked five years and a growing impact beyond food. A woman stopped by because she was feeding more people than her budget allowed. Migrant families received fresh food after job loss. Veterans picked up produce at monthly distributions. The harvest totaled 7,484 pounds, with tomatoes leading at 2,952 pounds. 

Grace Garden reflects people showing up for one another. Volunteers take pride in serving neighbors across Ottumwa. Grace Church invites you to join Grace Garden 2026, whether for an hour or the whole season.