Rooted in Holmes: A Food Security Initiative

Growing food, skills, and stability in Holmes County

About the Program

Rooted in Holmes is a community farm and food security initiative led by United Way of Northwest Florida in partnership with DaySpring Outreach Ministries and funded by a multi-year grant from Florida Blue Foundation. Together with local farms, community leaders, schools, and food partners, we are building a program where the same land that feeds families also builds futures.

Participants learn hands-on agricultural skills, fresh produce goes directly to households that need it, and monthly workshops help families stretch every dollar and every harvest. Our goal is simple: more Holmes County families with full tables, steady paychecks, and a future they can count on.

How It Works

Grow. Community members including at-risk adults and youth, work the farm alongside experienced growers. They gain real skills in planting, harvesting, and farm operations that translate to jobs and a fresh start.

Feed. Produce from the farm is distributed on-site and, where possible, delivered directly to homes across Holmes County, reaching seniors, working families, and anyone who cannot easily get to a distribution site.

Learn. Each month we offer free workshops on gardening, food preservation, meal planning, nutrition, and financial literacy so families can keep the benefits going long after the growing season ends.

Need Food or Want to Participate?

If you live in Holmes County and need help putting food on the table, we're here. To sign up for food distribution, join the farm training program, or attend a workshop, contact Tara Jackson at tjackson.crosspointpdl@gmail.com.

Our Partners

Rooted in Holmes is brought to life every day by:

DaySpring Outreach Ministries
Holmes County Sheriff's Department
Rockin R Farm
J Jireh Farm
Holmes County Health Department
Feeding the Gulf Coast
Publix
Holmes County Schools

Get Involved

Volunteer. Help plant, harvest, pack boxes, or deliver produce to neighbors. No farm experience needed. [Sign-up link]

Give. Every gift helps put fresh food on more tables and more people on the path to steady work. [Donate link]

Partner. Farms, businesses, churches, and agencies interested in joining the effort can reach us at [email].

Food security is a challenge no single organization can solve alone. In Holmes County, we are solving it together, because United Is The Way.

Made Possible by Florida Blue Foundation

Rooted in Holmes is funded through Florida Blue Foundation's Food Security Grant program. Their multi-year investment allows us to do more than hand out food. It gives us the time and resources to grow a lasting solution: a working farm, a trained workforce, and families equipped with the skills to stay food secure for years to come.

We are grateful to Florida Blue Foundation for believing that a healthier, more stable Holmes County starts with the ground beneath our feet.