Through The Garden Gates
Seeds of Change Organization
We highly value growth, spiritual health, inclusivity, endless learning, resourcefulness, and collaboration.
Welcome Spring
Seeds of Change (SOCO) was started in 2012 by Founder and Executive Director Claudia Spurill. Originally a volunteer with the Peninsula Health Department in Newport News, Claudia was introduced to 3 elementary-aged girls who wanted "a garden in their backyard like Michelle Obama". The girls lived in an income-based apartment complex located in a crime and drug-filled neighborhood. Given Claudia's belief that everyone should have a garden to feed themselves, she accepted the challenge. Together they started a garden with 2 3x3 raised beds, a plot that eventually grew to 6 beds altogether, and named it The Garden of Infinite Possibilities. Upon Claudia's move to Richmond in 2015, the girls' garden was still thriving.
March is Women's History Month! We want to highlight two major influences on SOCO's growth and development. First is Gladys Marie Mason, Claudia's grandmother. In their brief time together, Gladys taught what she could about growing and preparing food and how to take care of others, always making enough to share. Second is Fannie Lou Hammer; many people know her as a civil rights activist, but she also purchased land and started feeding the Freedom Farm Cooperative. She was an advocate for self-care and feeding yourself, emphasizing that becoming self-sufficient is a form of radical activism.
"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today."
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Meet the Staff
Claudia Spurill - Founder & Executive Director
I want this garden to provide opportunities to grow. I hope that the community grows food, grows relationships with their neighbors, and the land around them. Ultimately, I hope this work sparks a change and people know that they can depend on themselves to care for their needs and their neighbors. I'm growing in this space and as a person. I just hope that the seeds I plant today, someone will water tomorrow, and in the future, generations will eat and continue to grow.
Rachel Kline - Intern
Rachel is a graduate student at VCU currently pursuing their Master's of Environmental Studies. They have a passion for environmental justice, community engagement, and inclusivity in the world of conservation and beyond.