Sowing change: The transformative power of community gardens in Idaho’s rental communities

A community garden plot grows at Peaceful Belly Farm in Caldwell, Idaho, on July 7, 2022. (Carly Whitmore/Natural Resources Conservation Service)

The patience and commitment it takes to turn a tiny seed into a lush and vibrant plant is immense. Water, watch, repeat, water, watch, repeat, until finally life. Standing in the warm sunlight marveling at a bright red tomato grown with your own hands is an experience everyone should be able to have, regardless of their housing location.

Seventeen percent of Idaho’s economic output is represented by agriculture, one of the most significant contributors to Idaho’s economy, according to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. However, this does does translate to the individual and communal output in regard to agriculture, as Idaho does not sit within the top 10 states for community gardens per capita.

Implementing more community gardens in densely populated areas like apartments would increase that number and allow more Idahoans to experience homegrown food. 

Community gardens are shown to increase the sense of belonging, reduce stress and positively impact the physical and mental health of those who have access to them. Community gardens can decrease the food insecurity of tenants by up to 90% and on average, every dollar invested yields six dollars of produce.

Tenant wellness is not the only benefit. Studies have shown that community gardens being present increased property values by up to 9.5 percent within five years of the garden being implemented. This intervention is one that all apartment complexes and tenants could benefit from, creating a positive space for tenants and setting the property apart with a unique amenity offered. 

Jesse Tree, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing homelessness in the Treasure Valley, works exclusively with renters in Canyon and Ada counties. The Community Health Screener Data collected from this group between October 2023 and December 2023 shows that a little less than half of the clients served experienced mental health symptoms such as isolation or loneliness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is listed as one of the top 10 leading causes of death in Idaho, further showing just how prevalent and dire it is for additional mental health support and outlets. 

Gaining access to healthy food options, being a part of a community with a shared responsibility, and receiving positive mental and physical impacts are all great reasons for apartment complexes to consider a community garden. Properties having additional amenities in this increasingly competitive market are a plus for the complexes as well, drawing more tenants and making the property more desirable.

Embrace the journey toward healthier living by championing a community garden in your complex if you’re an owner or manager or by passionately advocating for one as a renter. Every small effort counts, whether it’s initiating a handful of plants in pots or cultivating a thriving garden oasis.

Let’s sow the seeds of change together.

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