About Grow2Give

Grow2Give is empowering communities through fresh food access and education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign through building, maintaining, planting, harvesting, and donating fresh produce from garden beds, hosting environmental education programming such as workshops, guest speaker series, and hands-on volunteer opportunities to expand community knowledge of sustainable fresh produce gardening.

Meet the Executive Board

  • Eric Vargas

    PRESIDENT

  • Cole Filges

    VICE PRESIDENT

  • Kristen Schaefer

    TREASURER

  • Sydney Littlejohn

    MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

  • Charlie Dilman

    SECRETARY

Meet the Advisory Board

  • Matt Turino, Grow2Give Faculty Advisor

    Matt Turino

    FACULTY ADVISOR
    MANAGER, SUSTAINABLE STUDENT FARM

  • Dr. Jennifer Nelson, Grow2Give Faculty Advisor

    Dr. Jennifer Nelson

    FACULTY ADVISOR
    ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR, CROP SCIENCES

  • Sydney Curts, Grow2Give Advisor & Founder

    Sydney Curts

    ADVISOR & FOUNDER

  • Joey Hartz, Grow2Give Advisor & Co-Founder

    Joey Hartz

    ADVISOR & CO-FOUNDER

  • Steven Adamson, Grow2Give Advisor & Co-Founder

    Steven Adamson

    ADVISOR & CO-FOUNDER

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are our garden beds located?

We currently have three garden beds:

  • 4'x4' - The Red Oak Rain Garden

  • 4'x4' - ACES Library

  • 4'x8' - The University YMCA

How can I get involved?

If you're ready to get involved with us, please sign up for our mailing list. Please note that you do not have to be a student or active member to participate in our programming and opportunities - we offer registration opportunities to all who are interested!

What does a typical year look like?

During both semesters, we host educational workshops, guest speakers, and plan for the gardening season. During the spring semester and summer, we plant, maintain, and harvest the produce from our garden beds to be donated.

Where do we donate our produce?

As a UIUC student organization, our goal is to keep the produce we grow accessible to the Champaign-Urbana community. One of the places we have donated most is the Food Assistance and Well-Being Program at the ARC, but we have also donated to local food pantries through Solidarity Gardens.