About Evergreen Harmony Club

Our Story

From humble beginnings to a thriving community of gardening enthusiasts

Evergreen Harmony Club was founded in 2005 by a small group of gardening enthusiasts who shared a vision of creating a green oasis in their urban community. What began as a weekly meetup in a local park has grown into a thriving organization with over 500 active members and multiple community garden locations across the city.

Community garden with people working together
Our first community garden project in 2006

Our founders, Emma and Richard Greenworth, started with a simple mission: to make gardening accessible to everyone, regardless of their living situation or experience level. They believed that connecting with nature and growing your own food could transform lives and communities.

Over the years, we've expanded our programs to include educational workshops, school gardening initiatives, and partnerships with local restaurants to supply them with fresh, organic produce. Our commitment to sustainable practices and community building has remained at the heart of everything we do.

Our Mission & Values

Guiding principles that shape everything we do

Sustainability

We promote organic gardening practices that work with nature rather than against it. Our methods focus on building healthy soil, conserving water, and supporting local ecosystems.

Community

We believe that gardens have the power to bring people together. We create spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, share knowledge, and grow together.

Education

We're committed to sharing gardening knowledge with everyone, from complete beginners to experienced horticulturists. Learning is a lifelong journey we take together.

Accessibility

We work to make gardening accessible to all, regardless of physical ability, age, or economic circumstances. Our gardens include raised beds and adaptive tools to accommodate everyone.

Our Mission Statement

Evergreen Harmony Club exists to cultivate vibrant, connected communities through the transformative power of gardening. We provide education, resources, and shared spaces that empower people to grow their own food, nurture local ecosystems, and build meaningful relationships with both the natural world and each other.

Children learning to garden
Our youth education program introduces the next generation to gardening

Our Team

Dedicated professionals and volunteers who make it all possible

Emma Greenworth

Emma Greenworth

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Emma has over 25 years of experience in horticulture and community organizing.

Richard Greenworth

Richard Greenworth

Co-Founder & Education Director

Richard specializes in sustainable agriculture and permaculture design.

Maria Rodriguez

Maria Rodriguez

Community Outreach Coordinator

Maria connects with local organizations to expand our gardening initiatives.

David Chen

David Chen

Head Gardener

David oversees the maintenance and development of all our garden spaces.

Our Volunteers

Beyond our core team, Evergreen Harmony Club is powered by an incredible network of volunteers who contribute thousands of hours each year. From tending garden beds to leading workshops, our volunteers are the heart of our organization. We're always looking for new helping hands—no experience necessary!

Group of volunteers gardening
Our amazing volunteer team at the annual garden cleanup day

Our Journey

Key milestones in our growth and development

2005

Evergreen Harmony Club is founded by Emma and Richard Greenworth with just 12 members meeting weekly in Jefferson Park.

2007

Established our first community garden on a formerly vacant lot donated by the city. The garden featured 30 plots and a composting station.

2010

Launched our youth education program, introducing gardening to over 200 students in local schools.

2013

Opened our second garden location in the Northside neighborhood, featuring accessible raised beds for seniors and people with disabilities.

2016

Partnered with 5 local restaurants to supply them with fresh, organic produce from our gardens.

2020

Adapted our programs during the pandemic, offering virtual workshops and expanding our home gardening support services.

2023

Celebrated our 18th anniversary with over 500 active members and 4 garden locations across the city.