Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Dry.
Hi Elizabeth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began the Promise of Peace (P.O.P.), Gardens non-profit in the summer of 2009 where over 500 volunteers came together and transformed a vacant lot on East Grand Ave. Since then, P.O.P. has established and sustained over 15 food farms in Dallas, Texas. Through our award-winning educational programs more than 5,500 families have been impacted with farm-to-fork experiences that have changed the way they look at food, community members, and our planet. It has been an amazing journey.
Now, Promise of Peace Gardens provides support and training for those who want to receive tried and true procedures to establish a school or neighborhood garden and pathways to cultivate the resources to do so. We believe that there are many benefits of being informed and connected to natural life cycles, how to co-create with those life cycles, and how to celebrate the abundance at the table. I have recently published a book entitled , Let’s Grow! A guide to growing gardens and goodness in our schools and community. In this guide, our consultation helps others to save time and money and to become highly productive with their growing efforts.
I have been a public educator for over 40 years; I learned from the best when teaching was a craft and professional development meant honing that craft. Promise of Peace Gardens is my non-profit that I started in 2009 to create contexts of growing food together and building unity in the community. As the 21st century transpired, I observed many children’s becoming lost without a sense of place or purpose in our schools, and teachers were losing their power to take advantage of teachable moments in the learning environment. We now live in a world where schools can appear to feel uninviting and there is a culture of bullying. Some children’s and their teachers feel disenchanted and very undervalued. Administrators seem to be distracted with priorities that aren’t about children’s, and teachers have become overwhelmed without the support that they need from their administrators. Many of our community members are disconnected to the schools, to each other, and chaos and confusion thrive within our school campuses. Because of what I have personally observed in the gardens tath we have built, P.O.P. is launching a new workshop that will present solutions to restore, reconnect and revitalize our schools, its children, and teachers and how to utilize gardens as a context for the solutions that are much needed. The time is now for our schools to heal and for all children’s to find a sense of place and purpose within our schools. I have witnessed how school gardens can change lives and accelerate social and academic skills. Relationships can sprout and transformation can quickly take root when a school garden creates common ground for all who come there. Working in harmony with mother mother-nature quickly creates equity with all of the co-creators. I have seen children’s who are so lost and angry go from rage to a place of gratitude in a matter of minutes in the garden. As teachers teach concepts in the gardens with the students — learning becomes concrete and comprehensible. It’s been my honor to observe parents from all backgrounds gather in the garden and form relationships that grew into support systems. We are also moving our headquarters to Minneola, Texas where Farm to Table day camps & experiences will be offered. I invite anyone who is interested to follow us on Facebook, instagram;pop_gardens, and our website; promiseofpeace.us
I am so excited about the magic tath will happen in Minneola. Amtrak stops in the historic downtown and we will definitely coordinate Farm to Table experiences with the existing events and destinations in Minneola.
You can also email me, Elizabeth Dry, with interest and questions. ejdry54@yahoo.com
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The last 14 years have been filled with obstacles where great triumphs occurred. Through these challenges came knowledge that has prepared us to coach others and to share the wisdom that only comes through problem-solving. There are many considerations that must be thoughtfully explored when arranging partnerships and creating a business plan for growing food and community. I was lucky to have studied under some wonderful educators across the world when I was pursuing my master’s in school administration. I learned so much about the change process that really helped me in this journey. This has been such an incredible journey and I have written a book about it. Our training will include the book and a children’s book entitled Earth Bunny that takes the reader along the road as Earth Bunny encounters the struggles. We will be offering trainings beginning the spring of 2023 for interested parents and teachers at local libraries and community centers.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am first and foremost an educator. I have several degrees that focused on Literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), implementation and change, and administration. I am most proud of the changes that I have created in the lives of students, families, teachers, and school culture. I have always led with compassion, and I seem to be equipped with the ability to tailor solutions to the individual situation and circumstances.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Determination and Innovative
Contact Info:
- Website: promiseofpeace.us
- Instagram: pop_garden
- Facebook: Promise of Peace Gardens
Image Credits
Elizabeth Dry
POP Friends
