When I first interviewed Giany, we talked about faith, food security, and the power of a community garden to change lives. You can read that original story here:
Faith to Food Security: Inside a Community Garden Changing Lives or listen to Agri-Tourist Podcast Episode 43.
This time, I caught up with him again — and what has unfolded since our first conversation is nothing short of extraordinary. (listen to the full podcast episode #87 here)
Standing inside his greenhouse on a cold morning, surrounded by vibrant lettuce and reblooming orchids, Giany smiled and said:
“We are landing in a good place.”
He wasn’t exaggerating.
A $96,000 Farm-to-Table Fundraiser — and a Mortgage Paid Off
In November, the organization hosted its third farm-to-table fundraising dinner.
It sold out — 120 guests.
And the result?
“The event raised $96,000.”
Even more remarkable, that momentum — combined with strong business sponsorship and a committed family donor — allowed the organization to pay off its $350,000 mortgage.
“Going from a $3,700 mortgage to zero… it’s a little breather.”
Owning the land free and clear doesn’t just provide financial relief. It unlocks vision.
And Giany is a visionary.
The Next Big Dream: A Community Hub
Now that the property is debt-free, the next step is bold:
“My vision for the property is now to create a community kitchen, a community building where people can really gather.”
The goal is a multi-use agricultural community hub that would:
- Host cooking demonstrations
- Support after-school programming
- Provide nonprofit office space
- Serve as an event venue
- Deepen partnerships with healthcare systems
This isn’t just about growing food anymore.
It’s about growing infrastructure for community health.
Feeding the Community First
One of the most powerful aspects of this model is that food grown in the greenhouse is donated.
“This is all donated to the community. My goal is really to get people to start eating healthy.”
The long-term strategy is clear:
“If we can get the kids to start eating healthy… eventually, in 10, 15, 20 years, we have a healthier community.”
The organization is already serving 180–200 families every two weeks through its FoodShare program — a CSA-style distribution model.
Families using EBT can purchase a $20 box for just $5, while community members can buy the same box at full cost.
“You spend $5 with us and you have $30 worth of food.”
Each box supports a family of four for up to a week.
This is not charity. It’s dignified access.
The Greenhouse: Repurposing, Regrowing, Reimagining
One of my favorite updates was inside the greenhouse.
Giany partnered with local grocery stores to rescue plants that would otherwise be thrown away.
Orchids. Houseplants. Flowers.
All reblooming.
“We bring them in… they were all dried like this. And now they’re all becoming green again.”
These plants are sold on an honor system donation model — generating income to support the garden’s mission.
“People support because they know your support is going to make a difference somewhere.”
It’s regenerative agriculture in its most literal form.
Even the kids participate — painting recycled window panes that now decorate the greenhouse.
“There’s no right or wrong. Just paint as you see.”
Everything here gets a second life.
Plants. Food. Land. Even opportunity.
Microgreens and Strategic Revenue
To sustain operations, the organization selectively sells:
- Microgreens (grown in six days)
- Rescued flowers
- Specialty plants
They partner with four local restaurants.
“I have to generate some income to keep the operation growing.”
But here’s what stood out:
“My goal is not to end up selling from the garden… My hope is to keep feeding the one that need it the most.”
Revenue streams are carefully aligned with mission.
Expanding School Garden Programs
Since our last interview, Giany has established four school gardens — 16 raised beds per school.
That’s 64 beds dedicated to students.
“We are taking the garden to the kids.”
Even when grant funding didn’t come through, he moved forward anyway.
“At least we have a relationship with the school.”
This strategic thinking builds long-term institutional support.
Measuring Health Impact: The Healthcare Partnership Strategy
The next frontier?
Data.
“That’s when the hospital system will become a key partner.”
The plan is to work with hospitals and dietitians to measure long-term health impact — from diabetes rates to heart health outcomes.
This is where agritourism, food security, and healthcare begin to intersect in measurable ways.
It’s community agriculture as preventative medicine.
168 Raised Beds — Built by the Community
The garden has grown from 8 beds to 168.
Built by partnerships with the Lions Club and local churches.
“I call for a workshop session, and they show up.”
With 100 volunteers and a lean staff of 10, the organization runs on community commitment.
But the kids?
“The kids will show up no matter what.”
Which is why stable staffing remains the greatest need.
The Bigger Picture: Fighting Food Disparity
At its core, this work addresses one fundamental issue:
Access.
“We want to increase access and fight the disparity between food access and healthy food access within the community.”
The need hasn’t decreased.
“The need is there. There’s no denying.”
But what’s emerging is more than a garden.
It’s a scalable model of:
- Community-based agriculture
- Farm-to-table fundraising
- School garden education
- FoodShare programs
- Healthcare integration
- Social enterprise greenhouse models
And perhaps most importantly — hope.
A Leader Who Dreams Big
When I asked about new initiatives, he laughed.
“I’m a big dreamer.”
Yes, he is.
But what’s different now is that the dreams are landing on solid ground — mortgage-free land, strong partnerships, expanding programs, and measurable community impact.
As we wrapped up our conversation, I told him what I truly believe:
This is not just a garden.
This is leadership.
Click here to listen to Episode 87 – the catchup with Giany from Carolina Human Reinvestment.