One Vegetable, One Community

The One Vegetable One Community (OVOC) Program was created in 2011 to build community around educating, growing, and eating a featured vegetable each year. Selections are voted on during an annual fall Harvest Dinner. This year's selection was nominated by Renee Willemsen, Duluth Farm to School Coordinator.

Each spring, OVOC and Duluth Farm-to-School collaborate to create and distribute a Vegetable-of-the-Year lesson to over 1,000 2nd Grade students across Duluth Public Schools that aligns with their ‘Parts of a Plant’ learning standard. Radish provides an opportunity to teach on the diversity of shapes and colors of vegetables, students will also learn about their excellent nutritional value and will gain important hands-on experience planting seeds. 

Another boon of the OVOC program is the distribution of free seeds to the community. You can find the Duluth Community Garden Program tabling at the Duluth Farmers Market in early spring, giving away free seeds and expert gardening advice. The year’s selection showcases the brilliant colors and short time from seed to harvest. While they last, these seeds will also be available in our four Little Free Seed Libraries across the city. 

If you're interested in learning more, follow the Duluth Community Garden Program on Facebook and Instagram. We'll share advice on selecting varieties, planting, harvesting, storing, cooking, and preserving your precious bounty.

OVOC was made possible in 2023-24 by funding from the Lloyd K Johnson Foundation, and the Tracy Family Foundation in 2025. If you’d like to donate to DCGP, please click on this link https://www.duluthcommunitygarden.org/support/donate.

Contact: Haley Diem, Duluth Community Garden Program (DCGP) Education and Outreach Coordinator haley@duluthcommunitygarden.org