About: The Story Behind the Toolkit

It all started in 2010 with a weedy, vacant lot next to my house here in Omaha. My main goal was simple: to keep that forgotten patch of land from becoming an apartment complex or parking lot.

I was a single dad at the time, and the truth is, I couldn’t really afford it. Buying it involved taking a leap of faith with a second mortgage on my house. Most community projects don’t begin with a perfect plan or a big budget. They start with a gut feeling and a willingness to take a chance.

A few weeks after I got the land, I put up a simple hand-painted sign: “Community Garden Coming Soon.” I posted about it on my personal Facebook page and a few local groups. The response was incredible, and I knew I was onto something.

From a Vacant Lot to a Community Hub

That vacant lot became the Benson Community Garden. Today, as we approach our 15th season, it’s a thriving hub with dozens of plots, a pollinator garden, and a strong community of gardeners. What we’ve grown here is more than just food. We’ve grown friendships, pride, and a sense of belonging that you can’t manufacture.

Why I Created This Toolkit

If you’re visiting this website or purchase the coming book, chances are you feel that same spark. You have an idea you can’t shake—a vision for a space that brings people together and makes your corner of the world feel a little more alive. That initial feeling is exactly where I was all those years ago.

Let me be clear about something: I’m not a professional author or a master organizer. I’m a neighbor who learned how to do this by doing it—by making mistakes, having honest conversations, and showing up day after day.

This website and the Community Garden Toolkit book are the resources I wish I’d had when I started. It’s not a rigid set of rules, but a foundational toolkit for practical, on-the-ground community building. I’d love it if it feels like we’re sitting together, drinking coffee in an empty neighborhood lot.

My goal is to share the lessons I’ve learned to help you take your dream and turn it into a reality. My hope is that this guide helps you take that first, crucial step, so that somewhere down the line, you can look out over your own thriving garden and feel that same sense of pride.

A simple idea, when shared with others, can grow into something truly extraordinary …and I’m glad you’re here.