The Victory Gardens for Peace Mini-Farm and Our Staff
Victory Gardens for Peace (VGFP) works with communities to address issues of health, food access and sustainability through the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® method (GB). We help individuals empower themselves through a co-creative, inclusive process of developing and implementing the following projects:
Research, Education and Demonstration of the GB Method: The GB Method reduces water use, fertilizer inputs, energy needs and land area required while increasing yields sustainably. We host tours, workshops, internships, apprenticeships and teacher certification programs.
The VGFP Seed Bank: Our seedbank conserves and adapts local seed varieties, makes them available to our community for free, increases awareness of issues surrounding seed access and is supported through a bioregional network of local seed savers.
The Garden Friendly Community Resolution (GFC): The GFC is a resolution communities can adopt to promote health and resilience by strengthening our gardening culture.
The GardenCorps Program: The GardenCorps Program trains small teams dedicated to service in establishing and supporting a sustainable gardening culture.
GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Teacher Certification Program: Our 8-Month Internship is designed for those interested in becoming a certified GB Instructor. We are a Master-Level GB Training Site capable of certifying Basic, Intermediate and Advanced-Level Teachers.
Our Staff
Matt Drewno VGFP Director, Ecology Action Board Member and Manager of the VGFP Mini-Farm and Seed Bank
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago planting beans and weeding in my mother’s backyard vegetable garden. I went away to college and got a degree in architecture, but shifted my focus towards agriculture midway through when I realized my calling was in agriculture and handwork.
I began a journey into permaculture and biodynamics and worked on several organic farms. For about 5 years I drove a tractor, my feet and hands barely touching the ground. This wasn’t my idea of growing food. I started a permaculture design company, received certifications in ecological restoration for prairie-oak savanah ecosystems and started working with farmers and gardeners to design and implement food systems which focused on more intensive and sustainable production married with small scale ecological restorations.
My search for the most practical, efficient and sustainable form of agriculture led me to Ecology Action where I have been working for the last 10 years. I feel blessed to work with this organization and farmers and gardeners around the world committed to creating a better future rooted in small scale, local and sustainable food production.