DeKalb County Community Gardens (DCCG) produced over 55,000 pounds of vegetables from 2012-2015 through 15 acres of gardens and 200 raised beds. In 2015, DCCG had 70 partnerships, 3 paid staff, and net income of $300. Key challenges included adapting to rapid growth with few paid staff. In 2016, DCCG will offer new programming like Food and Talk Round Tables to discuss food issues.

1. Growing Community, One Garden at a Time
2015 Annual Report
DeKalb County
Community Gardens

2. Index
DCCG At-a-Glance…………………………………………………..2
Mission Statement …………………………………………………....3
About DCCG …………………………………………………………..4
Community Partnerships …………………………………………....5
Volunteer Spotlight…………………………………………………....6
Location Highlight.…………………………………………………….7
Production.……………………………………………………………...8
Financial Information…………………………………………………9
Challenges…………………………………………………………….10
Coming in 2016……………………………………………………….11
To Our Sponsors.………………………………………………………12
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3. DCCG At-a-Glance
DCCG manages over 15 acres, including 200 raised garden beds.
In four growing seasons, DCCG has grown 55,390 lbs. of
vegetables, equal to over 27 tons.
The organization has over 70 partnerships and sponsors.
2014 ended with a net income of $44,394.53. The expected 2015
net income is $300.
DCCG has three paid staff members—one AmeriCorps Vista and
two Lead Growers.
The organization’s main challenge is adapting to rapid growth.
In 2016, DCCG will offer new and unique programming, such as
Food and Talk Round Tables.
Donors and volunteers are integral to DCCG’s success.
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4. Mission Statement
DeKalb County Community Gardens strengthens
access to fresh, local, sustainably-grown food to
people in need.
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5. ABOUT:
DeKalb County Community Gardens
(DCCG) is an innovative approach to
end hunger and food insecurity in
DeKalb County, by providing access
to fresh, local, sustainably-grown
organic vegetables for all who may
be in need. DCCG manages over 15
acres of growing space. In two short
years DCCG has produced nearly ten
tons of food donated to local food
pantries, day care centers, schools,
community meal locations, senior
citizen centers and housing units, as
well as to the meals on wheels
program. DCCG has gardens all over
the County, with over 200 raised beds
as well as large acreages.
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6. We have created working partnerships with neighborhoods, schools, non-profit
organizations, municipalities, County government, park districts, forest
preserve district, businesses, hospitals, family health centers, foundations, and
churches. DCCG is also working with Kishwaukee Family YMCA, Kish Health
Systems, and Live Healthy DeKalb County, as well as Northern Illinois University
and Kishwaukee College. DCCG has over 70 partnerships and sponsors.
Community Partnerships
5

7. “The part that I love is that even though I am one person, the amount of impact that I have is great. With any great
cause, even if you are only one person, your efforts matter.”
Tracy Coyle,
Malta Elementary School Librarian
Tricia DeBoo & Peter Schram
Peter and Tricia started gardening 18 years ago
when they bought their Sycamore property.
Having the skills and interests that would be of
use to DCCG, they started to become regular
volunteers. They believe that “no person should
go hungry” and DCCG offers opportunities to
address the issue on a local base.
Tracy grew up with a grandmother who had
a passion for gardening. Her grandmother’s
green thumb would inspire Tracy to continue
that love of the outdoors through
photographing nature, camping with family,
and gardening and volunteering with the
DeKalb Community Gardens.
Volunteer Spotlight
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8. Location Highlight: Walnut Grove
Located in Kirkland, Illinois, The
Walnut Grove Vocational Farm is a
new program of DeKalb County
Community Gardens. These
gardens serve individuals from
Opportunity House of Sycamore,
Gracie Center of Kingston, the Life
School of Sycamore High School,
as a recreational outlet to those
with special needs.
DCCG is also working with
Intersect for Ability of Rockford
and Access Service of Northern
Illinois to make this agriculturally-
based experience available to
other individuals with special
needs from Boone, Winnebago,
and Ogle Counties.
“There are hundreds of individuals with special needs who can benefit from a farm experience like this.”
-Matt Toohey, Director of Rockford-based Access for Services of Northern Illinois. 7

9. DCCG Production: 2012-2015
The chart above shows an estimated number of
produce collected and calculated by sites and year.
2,500
7,500
21,000
24,390
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
2012 2013 2014 2015
ProduceYield(inpounds)
Year
DCCG Annual Growing Season Yield
 Over the past four
growing seasons,
the produce yield
has amounted to
55,390 lbs.
 Many vegetables
were collected
from DCCG sites,
Walnut Grove, and
Indian Creek.
 Others were
donated by local
farms and harvests,
such as apples and
sweet corn.
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10. Financial Information
Revenue: $108,650
Expenses: $108,300
(Including approximately
$50,000 in personnel costs)
Net Income (Loss): $350
DCCG ended the 2014 calendar year with
a net income of $44,394.53.
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11. Challenges
Since our initial growing season in 2012, DCCG has
experienced rapid growth. Our main challenge is learning to
adapt and become sustainable with a large number of
episodic volunteers. The organization currently has only three
paid staff members—one AmeriCorps Vista and two Lead
Growers. As DCCG continues on with the strategic planning
process, we will analyze our organization and determine the
best way to structure paid and volunteer staffing, in order to
best achieve our mission.
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12. Coming in 2016
Food and Talk Round-Tables
A program where guest chefs will prepare a meal
with vegetables grown in our gardens, and
demonstrate how to incorporate them in meals.
DCCG will also host a discussion on food-related
issues, such as nutrition, and barriers to access.
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13. To Our Sponsors
As we head into 2016, DeKalb County Community
Gardens would like to express its sincere gratitude
to our sponsors and volunteers. Without your
generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure, DCCG
would not have the ability to carry out its mission.
Because of you, DCCG is able to continue to bring
fresh, local, sustainable produce to those in need,
while bringing attention to food-related issues.
Thank you!
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14. DeKalb County Community Gardens
P.O. Box 348 DeKalb, IL 60115
DeKalbGardens.org 815-793-0950
Growing Community,
One Garden at a Time

15. Created By:
Danielle Nunez
Paulina Snopek
Jennifer Komis