Join us for an inspiring and transformative tour of Minnesota’s first and only Justice Impacted Community Gardens. This unique space serves as a powerful symbol of restorative justice, healing, and community resilience. The gardens feature raised beds that are intentionally designed to resemble prison mattresses and (as a (reflective) centerpiece) a solitary confinement space, all serving as a visual protest the warehousing of incarcerated individuals, and repurposing space to grow food not house people. These beds are more than symbols, they are stories brought to life, representing justice-impacted individuals whose stories about food being used as punishment are shared and honored.
Just Us Garden is also a space for healing circles and reflection, fostering dialogue around justice, punishment, and the potential for growth. Despite Minnesota Statute 241.241 allowing
incarcerated Justice Impacted Individuals to tend gardens (per MN STATUTE MN: a garden program in all MN facilities), many are unable to do so. To honor their stories and agency, each
bed is named after an incarcerated person who cannot currently garden, but who is empowered to grow food outside through this symbolic gesture. This initiative exemplifies transformative justice in action, turning spaces of punishment into places of growth and possibility.
What to Expect:
• Personal stories from Justice-Impacted Individuals about food as a tool of punishment
and resilience
• A guided tour of the raised beds, sharing the stories behind each and their significance
• Insight into the vision and mission of the gardens as a form of restorative justice
• Opportunities for questions, dialogue, and reflection
Through our Urban Garden Initiative and Just Us Gardens, we strive to transform the food landscape for Justice-Impacted Individuals, both during and after incarceration. By providing the means to grow their own food, we aim to bridge the gap in nutritional disparities and support a healthier, more sustainable future for all. | ![image.png]()
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