ST. GEORGE — Welcome to the Zion Giving Garden: where seeds of compassion blossom into a harvest of hope.

“The whole idea is that everything we grow goes to families who don’t have access to produce,” Matthew Reid, president and founder of Desert Ministries, told St. George News. “We’re able to bring all types of people together to work on something bigger than ourselves — isn’t that the point of life?” 

In a previous interview with St. George News in 2022, Reid highlighted the evident disparity between the availability of local resources and the needs of impoverished families. 

Determined to address this disparity, he established Desert Ministries, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Since its inception, Desert Ministries has evolved into an umbrella organization for numerous community outreach initiatives. These include after-school tutoring programs and the distribution of essential items such as clothing and food.

Along with volunteers Darrin Gobble, Bre Caso and Katie Marascio, also known as the “Sunday labor group,” Reid began building the Zion Giving Garden from scratch with donated items.

Almost a year and a half later, they’ve doubled the garden beds, added wood panels and finalized the irrigation system, making the entire operation off-grid.

The system starts with rainwater sourced from a nearby system that is pumped into a broad filter and monitored for the presence of algae. In the case of algae detection, a reserve of 500 gallons can be rapidly flushed. A secondary filter is also in place for further monitoring.

Pumps and a timing system equipped with valves are housed in a structure that resembles a chicken coupe, which provides individual watering schedules for various plant beds. The entire setup operates on solar power, supported by batteries, a charge controller and other necessary components, ensuring sufficient energy to power the water pump.

Molly Nagle said she’s assembled beds with donated recycled materials, helped put together the irrigation system, organized donations that allowed the beds to be painted and is currently growing plant starts that will be transplanted into the garden. She began volunteering as a way to connect with members of the community.

“Eating fresh vegetables and fruit is one of life’s pleasures and should be available to everyone regardless of budgets or ability or time to grow food,” Nagle said. “Right now we are facing an epidemic of loneliness and food insecurity, and I can’t think of a better way to work on those issues locally than growing food with your neighbors.”

As a volunteer since the beginning, Gobble has watched the organization grow significantly. Watching a pile of donated metal be transformed into fully functioning garden beds has been a dream, he said, adding that he’s been in charge of growing many of the seedlings, which are currently sprouting from an old bookshelf in his bedroom. They will be ready to be transplanted into the Zion Giving Garden in the next few weeks.

While the main goal of the garden is to provide nutrition, he said it also serves as a learning and educational space where the community can learn about sustainability.

“The garden fosters a sense of community spirit and unity as volunteers, donors and recipients can come together to support each other and make a positive impact on our neighborhood,” Gobble said.

The organization has successfully generated funds through fundraising initiatives and donations. Through a fundraising platform, they raised enough for a greenhouse that will soon be on the property. 

Thanks to a grant from the Rotary Club of Hurricane Valley, a recent community event was held; during which, Tree Utah planted two desert willow trees, three pomegranate bushes and one persimmon tree. 

“My favorite part about this whole place is this little tiny agave bush,” he said, pointing at the small plant growing out of a tree stump. “Because you’re allowed to pick favorites, right?”

During the event, Hurricane High School students with the Interact Club and members of the local Catholic Church volunteered their time. Hurricane’s Sherman Williams donated paint, Bucks Ace Hardware donated rollers and brushes and the turnout was reportedly impressive. 

Plans for the garden include planting peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce and other “run-of-the-mill grocery store vegetables.” The goal is to double the produce production each year by replicating what they have already done and growing with the property.

This year’s primary objective is to streamline family deliveries through volunteer coordination. Delivery methods will include retrofitting two old electric bicycles with passenger accommodations into carrying containers, as well as modifying a fleet of old motorcycles. The Zion Giving Garden is currently seeking an old shipping container for storage.

“Our goal is to keep working on our projects and let everything fall into place as it needs to,” Reid said. “It’s really just a matter of creating space and letting everything unfold. I would say our motto is that if we put water in the pot, the spaghetti will come.”

Reid expressed gratitude for the overwhelming physical, financial and emotional support, emphasizing that, so far, everything has aligned perfectly. Financial needs will always be the organization’s biggest limiting factor, he said, adding that Desert Ministries has no paid employees and every penny raised goes directly toward one of their seven core service programs.

“I’m a professional beggar,” Reid said, laughing. “I knock on people’s doors and ask for money. That’s what my life has been reduced to. But it’s all for a good cause.”

For details on Desert Ministries, visit their website. Find out more information on the Zion Giving Garden by visiting their Instagram page. Charitable donations are tax-deductible and can be received in person or through this link.

Ed. note: When making charitable contributions it is advisable to consult with professionals for tax advice and investment risks.

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