Shirley Heinze Land Trust says it has been awarded a $5,000 NIPSCO Environmental Action Grant from NiSource to support its Milkweed Gardens Micro-Farm Partnership in South Bend. The nonprofit says the project will contribute to establishing active food production on a vacant lot in downtown South Bend, contributing to local food access, urban agricultural conservation, and community-based agriculture. The Milkweed Gardens Micro-Farm Partnership will launch in 2027.
“We’re incredibly grateful to NiSource for supporting our partnership with Milkweed Gardens, Inc., and helping us expand urban agricultural conservation efforts,” said Kris Krouse, Executive Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. “Our work with Oases Botanical Gardens in Gary showed us the positive impact these projects can have, and we’re excited to be working with similar opportunities in the South Bend community.”
“Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been instrumental in sharing expertise and guidance, and we are excited for the environmental, agricultural, and educational programming we can continue to offer in our downtown spaces for years to come,” said Rachel Mospan, co-founder of Milkweed Gardens, Inc.
“Programs like this showcase the tremendous potential of collaboration to address environmental challenges at the local level,” said Rick Calinski, Director of Public Affairs and Economic Development at NIPSCO. “We believe that strong partnerships are essential to advancing conservation, and we’re proud to support Shirley Heinze Land Trust’s efforts to connect the urban agriculture with sustainable land stewardship. Together, we’re helping to cultivate healthier communities and a stronger environmental future.”
