The Giving Garden

Welcome to Cottagestead’s library of organizations doing the quiet, essential work of supporting communities and stewarding the land.

At Cottagestead, we believe that homesteading where you’re planted means more than tending your own patch of earth. It means recognizing that we’re all connected to the soil, to our food systems, and to each other. The organizations highlighted here embody that interconnection, working to ensure that everyone has access to nourishing food, that our agricultural heritage isn’t lost, and that the land itself remains healthy for generations to come.

Whether they’re rescuing imperfect produce from fields, preserving heirloom seeds passed down through immigrant families, or protecting farmland from development, these nonprofits represent the values we hold dear: practical wisdom, community resilience, and the belief that abundance is meant to be shared.

As you browse these organizations, we hope you’ll find ways to support their work—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. Every small act of generosity plants a seed.

The Reality

The need for food security and sustainable agriculture has never been more urgent:

  • Nearly 48 million Americans lived in food-insecure households in 2024, that’s 1 in 7 households struggling to access affordable, nutritious food. The crisis is deepest in rural areas and the South, where 9 out of 10 high food-insecurity counties are located. (USDA Economic Research Service, 2025; Food Research & Action Center, 2025)
  • Every day, 2,000 acres of American farmland are lost to non-agricultural uses. Meanwhile, one-third of U.S. farmland may change hands in the next 15 years as aging landowners sell their properties, putting the future of family farming at risk. (American Farmland Trust)
  • An estimated 75% of the world’s edible plant varieties were lost between 1900 and 2000, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. The rise of hybrids and industrial agriculture has narrowed our food diversity dramatically, making seed preservation more critical than ever. (Seed Savers Exchange)

    Mission-Aligned Organizations

    Seed Preservation & Biodiversity

    These organizations protect the genetic diversity of our food supply by saving, sharing, and growing heirloom and open-pollinated seeds.

    • Seed Savers Exchange  Celebrating 50 years in 2025, this Iowa-based nonprofit is the largest nongovernmental seed bank in the U.S., stewarding over 20,000 rare fruit, vegetable, and plant varieties at their 890-acre Heritage Farm. Their online Exchange connects gardeners sharing more than 14,000 unique seed varieties.
    • Native Seeds/SEARCH  Conserves and distributes seeds of crops traditionally grown by Native American communities in the Southwest, protecting agricultural biodiversity and food sovereignty.
    • Organic Seed Alliance  Advances ethical seed solutions through research, education, and advocacy to strengthen organic seed systems.

    Farmland Conservation

    These organizations work to keep farmland in production and farmers on the land, protecting the foundation of our food system.

    • American Farmland Trust   The only national organization taking a holistic approach to farmland protection, sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. Their iconic “No Farms, No Food®” message has become a rallying cry for agricultural conservation. AFT has helped save millions of acres from development since 1980.
    • Land Trust Alliance  A network of land trusts across the U.S. working to protect natural lands, including farmland, for future generations.
    • Agrarian Trust   Supports land access for next-generation farmers through community-based Agrarian Commons that hold farmland in trust for sustainable agriculture.

    Food Security & Hunger Relief

    These organizations work at the intersection of food waste and food insecurity, ensuring good food reaches those who need it.

    • Feeding America   The nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, supporting a network of 200+ food banks and 60,000+ food pantries and meal programs. Their Map the Meal Gap study provides essential data on food insecurity in every U.S. county.
    • Society of St. Andrew   The nation’s oldest and largest gleaning network, coordinating volunteers to harvest good produce left behind after commercial harvest. Since 1979, they’ve rescued millions of pounds of fresh food that would otherwise go to waste, delivering it to food banks and pantries across America.
    • WhyHunger  Founded with musician Harry Chapin, this organization addresses the root causes of hunger by supporting grassroots movements and community-led food solutions worldwide.
    • Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)  Advocates for federal policies to reduce poverty-related hunger and improve nutrition, working to strengthen programs like SNAP and school meals.

    Community Gardens & Urban Agriculture

    These organizations bring food production into communities, creating access to fresh produce and building food sovereignty.

    • American Community Gardening Association  Supports community gardens across North America through education, resources, and advocacy.
    • The Food Trust   Works in urban and rural communities to improve access to healthy, affordable food through nutrition education, farmers markets, and policy change.
    • Kitchen Gardeners International   Empowers individuals and communities to grow some of their own food, promoting food self-reliance and healthy eating.

    Sustainable Agriculture & Farmer Support

    These organizations support farmers in adopting practices that are good for the land, the community, and the bottom line.

    • Practical Farmers of Iowa  A farmer-led organization promoting profitable farms, healthy food, and vibrant communities through research, education, and community building.
    • Rodale Institute  Pioneering organic farming research for over 75 years, demonstrating that regenerative organic agriculture improves human and planetary health.
    • SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)  A USDA program that funds research and education in sustainable agriculture, helping farmers adopt practices that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for communities.
    • National Young Farmers Coalition   Advocates for policies that support beginning and young farmers, working to ensure the next generation can access land, training, and markets.

    Food Rescue & Gleaning Networks

    These organizations prevent food waste by rescuing edible food and getting it to people who need it.

    • National Gleaning Project  Provides a map and directory of gleaning organizations across the United States, connecting volunteers with opportunities to rescue food.
    • Feeding America Food Rescue   Works with farmers, manufacturers, and retailers to rescue food before it goes to waste, redirecting it to people facing hunger.
    • City Harvest  New York City’s largest food rescue organization, collecting surplus food from restaurants, grocers, and farms and delivering it to soup kitchens and food pantries.

    How You Can Help

    Volunteer. Many of these organizations, especially gleaning networks and food banks, rely on volunteer labor. A few hours of your time can help rescue hundreds of pounds of fresh produce.

    Donate. Financial contributions help these nonprofits scale their work, purchase supplies, and reach more communities. Even small donations make a difference.

    Grow and Share. Plant extra rows in your garden and donate the harvest to a local food pantry. Some organizations, like Society of St. Andrew, will even help coordinate pickup.

    Advocate. Support policies that strengthen federal nutrition programs, protect farmland, and fund sustainable agriculture research. Your voice matters at the local, state, and federal level.

    Preserve Seeds. Join a seed library or seed swap in your community, or become a member of Seed Savers Exchange to help preserve heirloom varieties for future generations.

    At Cottagestead, we believe that being a good neighbor is woven into the fabric of homesteading. These organizations remind us that the work of growing, harvesting, and sharing food has always been community work, and that there’s room at the table for everyone.

    Library

    Eastern Chestnut Trees: Revival Guide for Homesteaders

    Once numbering nearly 4 billion, the Eastern Chestnut is now functionally extinct due to blight. The American Chestnut Foundation is changing that, developing disease-resistant varieties and empowering homesteaders to plant these legacy trees. Learn how you can join the revival and grow your own.