Fighting For
A More Generous
World.
The idea for Katie’s Krops began with a 9-year-old girl and a 40 pound cabbage. In 2008 Katie brought home a tiny cabbage seedling from school as part of the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program. She tended to her cabbage and cared for it until it grew to an amazing 40 pounds. Knowing her cabbage was special, she donated to a soup kitchen where it helped feed over 275 people. Moved by the experience of seeing how many people could benefit from the donation of fresh produce to soup kitchens, Katie decided to start vegetable gardens and donate the harvest to help feed people in need.
Become A Grower
Katie’s Krops now has 100 gardens growing across the country and has donated thousands and thousands of pounds of fresh produce to people in need. The mission of Katie’s Krops is to empower youth to start and maintain vegetable gardens of all sizes and donate the harvest to help feed people in need, as well as to assist and inspire others to do the same.
950,000lbs+
Fresh Produce Donated
325+
Gardens Planted
Visit Our
Outdoor
Classroom
Join us at Katie’s Krops Outdoor Classroom in our Flagship Garden
at the Crossroads Community Church in Summerville, SC.
Wear your support proudly!
Our new Katie’s Krops merch is here — shirts, hats, and mugs that give back. Every item helps us plant more gardens and feed more families.
Become A
Volunteer Today!
Do you live in the Charleston/Summerville area? We would love for you to volunteer and help us grow a healthy end to hunger. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help. Be a part of supplying food pantries, homeless shelters, cancer centers, Katie’s Krops Dinners and families in need with fresh produce. Join our volunteer list to be informed of all opportunities to grow an end to hunger.
We’ve been so busy preparing for an exciting and fruitful 2026, that we’ve been delayed in sharing our 2025 Year in Review!
Here is to celebrating our amazing growers, volunteers, community partners and the impact we were able to make together last year.
Thank you doesn’t even begin to cover the immense gratitude we feel to be able to serve our neighbors in need with such wonderful people by our side.
Here is to another year rooted in love 💛
Jan 31
Our 2025 Katie’s Krops Family of the Year: The Handly Family 🌻
The Handly family—Carrie, Eric, Trula, Mazie, and Benny—embody everything that Katie’s Krops is all about: heart, service, joy, and community. For years, they have shown up again and again with open hands and open hearts, making our garden a brighter and more loving place.
From the very beginning, the Handlys have grown alongside Katie’s Krops—literally. Benny’s first visit to the garden was when he was just three weeks old!
One of their most beloved contributions is Flower the Town, a project that brings beauty and kindness far beyond our garden gates. Using blooms fresh from our flagship garden, the Handlys create stunning flower arrangements and personally deliver them throughout the community to people and places in need of a little extra love.
No matter the weather or the season, you can count on them to be in the garden, working hard and lifting others up with their positive spirit.
They also play a special role at our Katie’s Krops Dinners, where they lovingly sort and bag our homemade desserts and often assist sorting milk as well!
What makes the Handly family so special is that they show us what it truly means to live a life of service. Together, they prove that you can make a meaningful difference at any age, and that when a family serves side by side, the impact is multiplied.
Thank you, Carrie, Eric, Trula, Mazie, and Benny, for all that you do. We are so grateful that our paths crossed and so proud to call you part of the Katie’s Krops family 💛
Jan 30
Celebrating Our 2025 Katie’s Krops School Garden of the Year: Beech Hill Elementary School 💚
The Beech Hill School Garden had an absolutely outstanding 2025 growing season, and we are so proud to celebrate the incredible work led by Mrs. Haugh and the dedicated Beech Hill community. We honor them as our 2025 Katie’s Krops School Garden of the Year!
This year was all about growth—in every sense of the word. Under Mrs. Haugh’s leadership, the Beech Hill team leaned fully into learning, even attending Katie’s Krops camp to gain new skills, fresh ideas, and renewed inspiration. They brought that knowledge back to their garden and put it straight into action.
The results were nothing short of remarkable. The garden expanded, systems improved, and student involvement deepened. Through thoughtful planning, hands-on learning, and consistent care, Beech Hill grew and shared an incredible 507.10 pounds of fresh produce, nourishing neighbors and making a real impact in their community.
Beyond the harvest, Beech Hill also partnered closely with the Katie’s Krops team on a special project this year—one that reflects their creativity, commitment, and willingness to go above and beyond. We’re keeping that story under wraps for now, but trust us… more exciting news is coming in 2026.
What makes the Beech Hill garden truly special is the heart behind it. This is a garden rooted in education, service, and possibility—a place where students learn that their hard work matters and that they have the power to make a difference.
Thank you, Mrs. Haugh, and thank you to the entire Beech Hill students, teachers, administration, and community for an inspiring 2025. You are growing more than food—you are growing leaders. 🌱🍅✨
Jan 29
We are thrilled to celebrate Colin, our 2025 Grower of the Year! Colin is a true legacy grower, proudly carrying on a Katie’s Krops garden that has been passed down through two older siblings—and he has made it his own in an extraordinary way.
2024 was a challenging year for Colin, and his honesty and reflection showed a maturity well beyond his years. In his own words:
“To be honest it is hard to look at this past year with a perspective other than failure. However, looking back I am so glad—proud is not the right word—of all of the knowledge I learned, and all the new things I now know about gardening.”
Instead of giving up, Colin regrouped. In 2025, he came back with a new plan, new energy, and new determination:
“I have a whole new plan. I am getting more people involved with the project (siblings!) so that the load is much more manageable. I am also redoing the layout of the garden… I am going to water better, and I am also going to do a better job with continuing new plants throughout the year.”
And then came the moment that truly captured his heart for service. Colin asked for no funding in 2025, sharing:
“Because of the lack of donations I gave this year, I don’t want any funds. We have most of what we need—compost from the farm, the beds, and all. Seeds will be the only thing, and sprouted plants if we can get them.”
In 2025, Colin stepped up in the most incredible way. He documented his journey through photos and videos, invited others into the process, and ultimately grew and donated 131 pounds of fresh produce to the Midwest Food Bank in Georgia.
But what impresses us most isn’t the number—it’s the heart behind it. Colin did not give up. He learned, adjusted, worked harder, and gave it his all. His perseverance turned challenge into triumph, and his garden into a true success.
Congratulations, Colin. Your grit, growth, and generosity embody everything Katie’s Krops stands for. 💛🍅🌱
Jan 27
Let’s Get Growing: Katie’s Krops Seed Starting Classes 🌱🍅🌤️
Exciting news from Katie’s Krops — we’re thrilled to offer more classes in 2026 for adults and middle and high school students, and we’re kicking things off with a timely and essential skill: seed starting.
Join Clemson Extension Master Gardener Lisa Turocy for a hands-on, interactive 90-minute class where participants will learn how to start a garden from seed, understand the science behind seeds and soil, and build a strong foundation for a successful growing season. You’ll gain practical techniques for sowing, nurturing, and caring for plants — and leave with seeds and supplies to start your own garden at home.
This class blends learning, hands-on practice, and open Q&A, making it perfect for beginners and anyone ready to grow with confidence.
Youth Class (Ages 12 and Up)
Monday, February 9, 2026
1:30 PM | 90-minute class
Adult Class
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
1:30 PM 90-minute class
Find both sign ups on the outdoor classroom page of our website!
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn with us and start your own garden in 2026 💛
Jan 26
Yesterday in the garden was a beautiful testament to the power of community. Friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers came together to create change, repairing our well-loved (and very worn!) flagship garden beds. Because of their helping hands, we’re able to keep growing fresh, healthy food and work toward a healthy end to hunger — one heartfelt harvest at a time.
A special thank you to our incredible friends at the Summerville Rotary Club for sharing their time, talents, and big hearts with us ♥️
This is a critical first step to preparing the garden for spring, and our hearts are full at the wonderful response from the community!
Jan 25
Snow, ice, or rain? Who knows what this storm will bring! 🌨️
One thing we do know — it’s harvest time before the weather has its way. There’s no worse feeling than seeing a loss in your garden that could have prevented.
Today we gathered a beautiful, bountiful harvest to share with our friends at the Murray Church Food Pantry 🩵
We hope you stay warm and safe during the storm!
Jan 23
Growing Readers, Growing Gardeners 🌱📚 Where stories sprout and gardens grow!
We’re teaming up with the Dorchester County Library Bookmobile to bring books + nature together for a fun, hands-on learning experience at the Katie’s Krops garden. Each month, families can explore the garden, spot pollinators, watch the seasons change, and cozy up for storytime in our outdoor classroom.
Read. Wander. Discover. Repeat.
📚 Choose your favorite book
🌿 Explore the garden
🌷Read together in nature
📖 Gather for a group storytime
••Thursday, January 29th••
Bookmobile: 2:15–3:00 PM
Storytime: 3:00–3:30 PM
Come see how learning comes alive when books meet the garden. We can’t wait to see you there, sign up via the link found on the outdoor classroom page of our website 💚
Jan 22
Just because your garden may not be producing much (or anything) in January doesn’t mean you can’t start prepping for spring! Here are five ways to get a jump start on a successful spring growing season 💚
🌱 Clean your gloves and arm sleeves to help prevent the spread of disease—and make sure every pair has a match!
🌱 Check your seed dates. Anything dated before 2024 likely has a low germination rate. Now is the perfect time to take inventory and order fresh seeds. Our friends at @parkseedco have a Katie’s Krops collection filled with great spring varieties—and they support our mission to end hunger!
🌱 Inspect your melon hammocks. Make sure they’re clean and in good condition—they’re essential for healthy watermelons and cantaloupes.
🌱 Start thinking about soil amendments. Winter is the best time to plan ahead! Order your hummus compost from @soil3organiccompost —their BigYellowBags (the only soil we use!!!) are on sale now. Use code KatiesKrops2026 to save an extra $5 off the sale price and support our work—that’s a $35 total discount!
Prep now, grow strong later. A little planning in winter goes a long way once spring arrives. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and productive spring growing season!
Jan 22
Our southern growers are blessed to grow year-round, and we couldn’t be more proud of the beautiful greens coming from their fall + winter gardens. Here are some of our favorite snapshots from the season so far on film 🥬💚
Jan 20
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we spent the afternoon in the garden with storytime and service. By working together, we’re living out his dream — growing a better tomorrow and planting seeds of hope for the future. 💛🌱
Jan 20
Did someone say merch?! Kale yeah! 🌱
Our Printify store is officially live with Katie’s Krops merch for the whole family—available in lots of fun colors! From tees to hats and even coffee mugs, there’s something for everyone. 💛
We can’t wait to see you repping Katie’s Krops in your new merch, check out our bio for the link to our store!
Jan 17
We heard 2026 is the new 2016, so here’s 16 pictures of what we were up to, 8 years after Katie’s Krops began 🌱
Jan 16
If you or someone you know is in need of a healthy, fresh, and free meal, join us TOMORROW (1/15) for our Katie’s Krops Dinner 🤍
This is a drive-thru style distribution, open to anyone in the community — no ID required — and meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis at Summerville Baptist Church (417 Central Avenue). Service will begin shortly after 4:00 PM, and we encourage you to arrive early.
On the menu: pasta with hearty meat bolognese, a garden-fresh salad, and fresh bread. 🍝
We can’t wait to serve you tomorrow!
Jan 14
Winter in the garden is crucial for a successful spring and summer season!
At Katie’s Krops, winter is a time that not only produces some of our most beautiful harvests, but also gives us the opportunity to rebuild, repair, and lay the foundation for a successful season ahead.
For our wonderful volunteers, this means we will spend less time in the garden for regularly scheduled workdays and more time focused on skilled labor, administrative work, and supporting our growers across the country.
Stay tuned for spring and summer, when we will have lots of opportunities for volunteering on a first-come, first-served basis 💛
It’s also the perfect time for home gardeners to begin amending your beds with Soil3 Hummus Compost (in the BigYellowBag) to give your plants the best possible start. Use code KatiesKrops2026 at checkout to receive a discount and support Katie’s Krops with a donation! They have wonderful sales in the beginning of the year, and our discount code allows you to stack on top of the sale price.
If you love starting from seed, Park Seed has been an incredible supporter of Katie’s Krops for over ten years. They even offer a Katie’s Krops seed collection that supports our young growers 🌱 Look for the heart in the hand to know your purchase gives back.
Happy winter growing!
Jan 13
2026 is rooted in love 🌱!!!
Here’s to a year of getting our hands dirty, using the garden as our classroom and serving our neighbors in need—one heartfelt harvest at a time. We can’t wait to dig into the new year with you 💛
Jan 8
Guess the Veggies!
Ready for a little Katie’s Krops garden trivia? Before we reveal the data, see if you can guess the top three crops grown at the Katie’s Krops Flagship Garden in 2025.
Were they summer favorites? Garden classics? Heavy hitters in the harvest?
Drop your guesses in the comments and see if you’re right.
We’ll share the big reveal soon—and a few of the results might surprise you.
Jan 7
There’s something deeply special about beginning a new year with freshly harvested collards touched by a frost. In the South, collard greens are more than just a vegetable—they’re a tradition rooted in hope, symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and health for the year ahead. Shared alongside black-eyed peas and cornbread, collards are said to represent paper money, a reminder that abundance can be simple, nourishing, and shared.
Today, that tradition beautifully came to life. A special group of Katie`s Krops volunteers asked to visit the garden with one heartfelt mission: to spread kindness as the new year begins. Together, they carefully harvested our collards, lovingly bundled them, and attached recipes so each bundle could be prepared and enjoyed with confidence.
These greens were then shared through the Charleston County Public Library Free & Fresh Fridge program, extending the garden`s kindness to neighbors who may need it most.
Moments like this remind us why we grow. At Katie’s Krops, the harvest is about more than food—it’s about dignity, tradition, and starting the year with open hands and hopeful hearts. 🌱
Dec 31
Let’s Grow Together in the New Year!🥬🥒🍅
Help Shape Our 2026 Adult Gardening Classes
We’re excited to share that in 2026, our Master Gardener, Ms. Lisa be expanding the adult classes offered in the Katie’s Krops garden.
We want these classes to be practical, relevant, and truly useful, and your input matters. Here are a few class topics we’re considering:
• Propagation techniques
• Container gardening for spring vegetables and herbs
• Gardening for pollinators with native plants
• Starting from seed
• Plant disease prevention, identification, and treatment
Please comment below with the top two classes you’d most like us to offer in the new year. Your feedback will directly shape our 2026 adult class schedule and help us create meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for our gardening community.
Thank you for helping us grow together.
Dec 26
Gus is here to remind you that you can get your feathers clean at Tommy’s Express on Tanger Outlet Blvd for FREE WORKS WASH until THIS Friday 🚗🧼💦
Head to Facebook and like the Tommy’s Express Car Wash- North Charleston Tanger Outlet Blvd. page to secure your free wash.
When you get to the cashier at the wash, tell them Gus sent you and show them you’ve liked the page. Thats it!
Your free wash awaits!!!!! Thank you Tommy’s Express for being such wonderful partners of Katie’s Krops ♥️
Dec 22
