Community Roots Iron County

A group of senior people harvesting apples in an orchard, smiling and collecting apples in baskets and crates.
Multiple hands holding small seedlings planted in soil during a gardening activity.
Person picking ripe apples from an apple tree in an orchard.
Group of children harvesting tomatoes and carrots in a garden, with a sign that reads 'Good food. Less waste. Stronger together.'
A woman picking oranges from a large orange tree in a sunny backyard, holding a basket for collection.
A diverse group of adults and children gardening together, harvesting vegetables like carrots and tomatoes, in a community garden with a sign reading 'FRESH PRODUCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY' and a chalkboard sign saying 'GLEANED WITH LOVE, Donated to LOCAL FOOD PANTRY' on a sunny day.
Two children, a girl and a boy, pick cherries from a tree in an orchard. The girl has long blonde hair and is smiling as she reaches for cherries, holding some in her hand. The boy, wearing a cap and dark shirt, holds a basket full of cherries and reaches up to pick more. There is a box labeled 'Iron County Gleaners' in the background.

COMMUNITY ROOTS

Growing food. Growing community.

Community Roots is a volunteer-driven initiative focused on reducing waste, increasing food access, and building stronger local food systems throughout Iron County.

We believe abundance already exists all around us.

A fruit tree loaded with apples.
A garden overflowing with zucchini.
Extra compost.
Unused pallets.
Plant starts.
Seeds.
A few hours of volunteer time.

When we connect those resources with people who need them, entire communities benefit.

Today, Community Roots focuses on two core programs:

Iron County Gleaners

Recovering local food. Supporting local families.

Iron County Gleaners helps rescue surplus produce from gardens, fruit trees, farms, and other growing spaces throughout Iron County.

Recovered food is shared through local community partners, including Iron County Care & Share, helping ensure good food reaches local families instead of going to waste.

Ways to help:
• Donate produce
• Report harvest opportunities
• Volunteer to glean
• Help transport donations

No harvest is too small. Every little bit matters.

Community Garden Network

Turning excess resources into future harvests.

The Community Garden Network helps redirect donated materials and community resources into food-growing spaces throughout Iron County.

We collect and repurpose items such as:

• Plant starts
• Seeds
• Compost
• Rabbit manure
• Wood chips
• Pallets
• Raised bed materials
• Garden supplies

Our long-term goal is to help establish community gardens, school gardens, neighborhood growing spaces, and other food-producing projects that increase local resilience and food security.

Ways to help:
• Donate garden resources
• Volunteer for garden builds
• Suggest potential garden locations
• Partner with schools, churches, nonprofits, and community groups

Why It Matters

Community Roots exists because small acts of generosity add up.

A few extra tomatoes.
A truckload of wood chips.
A packet of seeds.
An afternoon spent volunteering.

Together, those small contributions become meals, gardens, education, and opportunities for people throughout our community.

Whether you'd like to volunteer, donate resources, report a harvest opportunity, or explore a future partnership, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to get involved?