Join us at First In Gardens!

march 2025

update from bryan

Greetings, FIG Folk!

As we dig into a new season, First In Gardens is sprouting fresh initiatives to cultivate not just plants, but community and wellness. We’re looking forward to spring when our engaging slate of activities for First Responders and Veterans kicks off, bringing plenty of opportunities for wellness—and a whole lot of fun. We may even attempt to grow some of the hottest chilies this side of the sun (or at least the Susquehanna)!

This month, we’re gearing up for new workshops, volunteer opportunities, and exciting collaborations—so stay tuned! We also need all hands-on deck to help build garden boxes, dig some holes, and get our spaces ready for the growing season. If you love working with wood, soil, or just good company, now’s the perfect time to jump in.

If you’re ready to get your hands in the dirt and be part of something meaningful, we’d love to have you join us. Keep growing, keep thriving, and remember—be First In and last out, the journey is worth it.

upcoming events

Volunteer With Us!

It’s time to give our gardens the TLC needed for this year’s growing season. For four weeks, we will be inviting volunteers out to FIG to help out.

The first big task is construction of 24 new garden boxes!

We also need to:

prep the barn for critters
shovel wood chips onto walking paths
till and enhance the garden soil
bolster up garden fencing
fix the caging around our blueberry patch
and more!

All abilities and ages are welcome but please use your discretion with younger children.

volunteer sign up

Or, if you have your own group that would like to schedule a separate time in the gardens, we’ll welcome that as well.

schedule a private volunteer group

current needs

LUMBER!

Do you have connections to a lumber yard or construction firm?

We are looking for help buying a large quantity of lumber at a wholesale price.

Please let us know if you have any leads for us.

sarah’s reflection

The first bud of spring sings the other seeds into joining her uprising. ~Amanda Gorman

Recently I have found it hard to motivate. These cold and blustery days have bolstered the need for hibernation - an ingrained mammalian trait. However, with the spring equinox just three weeks away, and the days stretching ever so slightly, I’m beginning to feel the thaw of immobilization and slight stirrings to get up and move. I have not yet seen the first bud, but the bulbs I planted last fall must be close to poking through the softening earth.

For individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress, this feeling of hibernation may not be a seasonal experience. The blanket of paralysis is often lasting. Just leaving one’s house, interacting with another person, or accomplishing a single task a day can feel unattainable. One of our goals at First In Gardens is to offer an inviting and safe space that might motivate someone to resurface into community. We hope to be the constant “first bud of spring” that invites others to emerge and join us.

Thank you for your support!

First In Gardens is a branch of Compassion Point, a registered 501(c)(3) charity.