Growing Hope: The New Bethel Community Garden & Wellness Initiative

Resumen del proyecto

The New Bethel Community Garden and Pontiac Farm Stop Initiative was developed in response to the pressing food insecurity challenges facing Pontiac, Michigan—a community identified as a food desert with limited access to fresh, affordable produce. Grounded in a vision of transforming underutilized church-owned land into a community-centered agricultural and wellness hub, the project sought to improve nutrition, strengthen community bonds, and create pathways for economic mobility.

A dedicated committee of approximately 10 members from New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church met weekly to guide the planning and development process. The project engaged a broad cross-section of the community, including a congregation of approximately 150 members, a Girl Scouts troop based at New Bethel, and several local organizations. Through workshops, planning sessions, and community conversations, an estimated 400 individuals were reached, gaining awareness of the project’s purpose, needs, and future opportunities.

The project team conducted research through site visits, participation in conferences, engagement with existing community garden initiatives, and educational sessions with Michigan State University Extension. These activities informed the development of a sustainable and scalable model that integrates community gardening with a future Farm Stop concept—an innovative local food distribution system designed to support regional growers and increase access to healthy food.

Throughout the process, the committee maintained active collaboration with subject matter experts, extension educators, and community leaders, ensuring that the project was both evidence-informed and community-driven.

Resultados del proyecto

– Identified and secured a site for the community garden and future Farm Stop.

– Cleared land, including removal of trees and preparation of the site.

– Developed a comprehensive landscaping and site plan.

– Engaged with local community garden initiatives to learn best practices.

– Participated in educational sessions with Michigan State University Extension.

– Conducted research and attended conferences to explore the Farm Stop model.

– Built partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders.

Community Impact

The project generated significant momentum within the New Bethel congregation and the broader Pontiac community. It increased awareness of food insecurity challenges while highlighting practical, community-driven solutions. The initiative fostered intergenerational collaboration, bringing together youth, adults, and seniors in shared purpose.

In the short term, the project educated hundreds of participants about nutrition, food access, and community agriculture. In the longer term, it has laid the foundation for sustained programming, including youth engagement in nutrition education, gardening, and wellness initiatives. The project also strengthened partnerships across community organizations, positioning New Bethel as a hub for innovation in faith-based community development.

Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere gratitude to the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church committee members and congregation, Micah 6 Community, the Girl Scouts Troop at New Bethel, Children’s Village, Farm Stop partners, Michigan State University Extension Program, Matt Leavitt, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Bishop’s Storehouse. Their support, expertise, and collaboration were instrumental in advancing this work.

Future Plans

This work will continue through the expansion of the community garden and integration into the Healthy Minds, Healthy Futures program led by the New Bethel Children and Youth Development Corporation. Future efforts will focus on youth programming, nutrition education, and scaling the Farm Stop model.

Ongoing sustainability will be supported through strategic partnerships, grant funding, and continued community engagement, ensuring that this initiative remains a transformative force for health, wellness, and economic empowerment in Pontiac.

Acerca de la Comunidad

New Bethel Church is located in Pontiac, Michigan – a suburban area outside of Detroit. The following members of the congregation will be involved in the project:

• Julie Winfield
• Sue Thigpin
• Diane Hodge
• Anthony Thompson
• Jesse Stephens
• Cameron Blunt
• Deborah Charaman
• Roslyn Bernard

Pontiac, Michigan is located in a suburban area, outside of Detroit. The community is located in a food desert, without a local grocery store and  with little economic growth opportunities. The local community includes about 200 people and is predominantly Black.

The goal of the project is to establish a community garden and green space on unutilized church property to increase community access to fresh food and increase nutritional awareness. The garden and green space also seek to increase community involvement and cohesion, as well as provide educational and economic opportunities. The goal of including  a local green space is to create a larger awareness for mindfulness in the community. 

Within Pontiac, Micah 6 currently has 1.25 acres of land and 3 greenhouses that serve to increase community access to fresh produce. Micah 6 has established partnerships with Growing Pontiac and The Farm at Trinity Health Oakland.

 Micah 6 has also established a local grocery store, Sprout. Sprout offers access to fresh, locally grown produce at very inexpensive prices and is within walking distance to much of the community. 

New Bethel Church is currently using their Sunday School hour to teach about healthy food habits and the importance of nutrition. 

Sobre el proyecto

In collaboration with scientist/experts, the project team aims to: (1) create a blueprint that best utilizes the available church space to create a community garden; (2) Establish types of beds used (inground/above) and create a management plan (to determine access to water and other resources); (3) Create a price plan and estimated costs of implementing and maintaining the garden and greenspace; (4) Based on existing green spaces, discover what makes these spaces most successful and how we can build on this in our greenspace; (5) Ask local community what they may want from a greenspace.

The project team will include a  Thriving Earth Fellow, Members of the new bethel Church leadership, and several scientists/experts. The key audience and stakeholders are the congregation of New Bethel Church and the surrounding community.

A community garden and green space will be the end deliverables. A plan of how this project can be expanded and replicated will also be created. A plan for the continuation of the garden over the next ten years in collaboration with community partners will be established.

The project will benefit the community as the community will have increased access to green space and local produce. A greater sense of community will be developed based on joint engagement to establish and maintain the garden and green spaces. Improved knowledge of nutrition and the importance of how what we eat impacts our health. 

Diversification of diets, previously impossible to achieve, will be a critical outcome of this work. Increased sense of place based on community engagement in the garden will also be achieved due to this project. 

Calendario e hitos

The project will likely take 12 to 18 months to complete with the following key milestones:

• Recruit experts/scientists
• Talking to community members involved with Micah6 and Sprout to see what has worked and what hasn’t. Determine what has been successful from their perspective and if we can implement these items in our space.
• Engage with faculty/staff at Oakland University to see if there is an opportunity to establish an on-going partnership. 
• Establish a plan to connect Sunday School hours with green space. 
• Open the community garden and green space.

Community Leader

Rev. Dr. Keyon S. Payton is a transformative force in both the faith community and public health sectors. With over two decades of pastoral leadership, including his current role as the lead pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac, Michigan, Dr. Payton has pioneered a trauma-informed approach to ministry that has redefined the church’s role in addressing community health crises. His expertise in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and traumainformed care has made him a sought-after national speaker, educator, and consultant.

Scientists will contribute to determining what crops will grow best in the garden, crop rotations, soil supplements, and the potential for 4-season growth. Experts can also contribute to educating the community about the nutritional qualities of different crops, crop management practices, and additional methods for community engagement and messaging around crop management and healthy eating. 

New Bethel Church is extremely open to having students engaged on the project. Local scientists and experts are preferred but not required. 

Competencias y cualificaciones deseadas:

• Agriculture/horticulture/gardening expert with knowledge of the local growing season and agricultural zone. 

• Experiencia en sostenibilidad urbana

• Knowledge and respect for black cultures and worldviews

• Experiencia y/o deseo de participar en la educación, divulgación y compromiso de la comunidad.

• Gran capacidad de escucha y colaboración

• Voluntad de vincular la ciencia a los problemas locales
• The scientist should be able to visit the community in-person

Collaborating organizations have not been solidified yet. Interest in working closely with Oakland University. Potential to engage with Windy City Harvest and Micah 6.

Creation Justice Ministries 

Partnering with faith communities to address sustainability and environmental health concerns.