G3 Community Garden Recognized as Guam’s First USDA “People’s Garden”

Hagatna (GU) 13 January 2023 

Guåhan Sustainable Culture’s recent application was approved for the Guam Green Growth (G3) Community Garden in Hagatna to be recognized as Guam’s first USDA People’s Garden. Local gardens are eligible to be recognized through the People’s Garden Initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To be eligible to be recognized as a “People’s Garden” a garden must: benefit the community, be a collaborative effort, incorporate conservation management practices and educate the public about sustainable gardening practices and the importance of local, diverse sources of healthy food.

The Hagåtña G3 Community Garden is a collaborative project of the island-wide Guam Green

Growth (G3) initiative, a public-private partnership facilitated by the Center for Island Sustainability at the University of Guam and supported by the Office of the Governor. The garden was built and is maintained by Guåhan Sustainable Culture (GSC). 

At the garden compost is utilized to divert waste from the landfill and serve as a teaching tool for the community. Natural products are used to apply nutrients to plants and control pests in the garden. Different varieties of flowering plants are grown to attract pollinators. Fruits are left on the plants past their harvest date to save seeds. Materials such as plastic containers, cardboard, and shredded paper are recycled and used in the garden. Opportunities to learn about sustainable gardening practices are offered frequently through outreach, workshops and field trips.

 “We are thrilled to join gardens nationwide in the People’s Garden effort and what it represents,” said President and Co-Founder of Guåhan Sustainable Culture Michelle Crisostomo, “this garden is here to inspire and empower our community to come together around expanding access to healthy food, addressing food insecurity, practicing sustainability and advancing our efforts towards food sovereignty.”

Jan 12, 2023 Staff and volunteers put up the official USDA People’s Garden sign at the G3 Hagatna Community Garden. Pictured left to right: GSC member Rejean Benavente, Student Volunteer Rhalynn Sared, Student Volunteer Hanna Quichocho, and GSC Member Minerva Hermosilla