Growing in the Spotlight: Hill City’s Garden Shines on the National Stage

Author: Hannah Colby, RD, LD, CLS

Community Health Specialist with Aitkin County Public Health

In 2022, Aitkin County CARE was thrilled to receive the Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC) Grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). This generous grant supported the growth and development of the Hill City Community Garden, a vital project that is improving food and nutrition security, promoting physical activity, and fostering social connectedness in the rural community of Hill City, Minnesota.

The funding from the BRIC Grant helped cover the costs associated to bring a garden to the community, which has become a critical resource for the town. The garden provides fresh produce to local families, encouraging healthy eating habits and reducing food insecurity. It also serves as a gathering place where community members can connect, share knowledge, and participate in physical activity. Gardening is a great form of physical activity as it involves movement like digging, planting, weeding, and lifting, all of which help improve strength, flexibility, and overall fitness.

To share the incredible impact of this project, a special webinar was created to showcase the combined efforts of the BRIC and SPINE (Statewide Partnerships for Inclusion and Empowerment) programs. The webinar highlighted how these initiatives have made a significant difference in improving food security, physical activity, and social connectedness in rural communities across Minnesota, with Hill City taking center stage.

What made this story even more remarkable was the involvement of Rocket Camp, a production company based in Atlanta, Georgia. The videographers from Rocket Camp flew in from various parts of the country to capture the heartwarming and inspiring story of Hill City’s transformation through the community garden. The video team worked closely with local residents, community leaders to film a compelling narrative that showcased how the BRIC-funded garden has been a game-changer for the community. They captured not only the garden itself but also the authentic connections and shared experiences of the people who call Hill City home.The footage captured not just the physical beauty of the garden but also the spirit of the community - the hardworking, resilient, and caring people who have turned the garden into a symbol of hope and togetherness.

The resulting video highlighted the unique ways in which the garden has transformed Hill City, helping to increase access to healthy food, improve physical health through outdoor activity, and strengthen social ties within the town. It also serves as a reminder that even the smallest communities can have a mighty impact when they come together to support one another. Hill City’s journey, captured by Rocket Camp, continues to inspire other communities looking to build resilience and make a lasting difference in their own neighborhoods.

At a crucial moment when time was tight for video production of a video to be filmed in Minnesota, MDH and Aitkin County Public Health made a call for help - and Hill City’s leaders and residents answered without hesitation. Despite the last-minute notice, the city rallied together to make the video happen. Special thanks go to Lynne Jacobs, former Aitkin County CARE executive director, who played a pivotal role in organizing the project; Lin Benson, City of Hill City Council Member, for her leadership and support; Tami Meyer, City of Hill City Clerk, for her invaluable assistance; and Dave Lange, Hill City Mayor, whose dedication to the town was integral to the success of the project. A big shout-out is also owed to the community members featured in the video, who took time out of their busy lives to showcase their connection to the garden and share their stories of health, wellness, and community.

To view the video, click on the link shown below. The spotlight on the Hill City Community Garden video story starts at 14:30 and ends at 16:11.

https://vimeo.com/1051279977