From Seed to Supper

South Lawn Farm Expansion Creates Growing Space for Rochester Deaf Kitchen

A Seed to Supper mini-grant enabled Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County (CCE Monroe) to expand its South Lawn Farm and create a dedicated growing space for Rochester Deaf Kitchen (RDK), a food pantry serving Deaf residents.

Growing More Than Food
South Lawn Farm is an urban educational farm located at CCE Monroe that provides opportunities for community members to learn about gardening and food production. The farm also hosts GROWS, a workforce development program, and donates all its produce to local food pantries.

CCE Monroe’s Master Gardener Program secured a Seed to Supper mini-grant to expand Deaf-inclusive gardening education in partnership with Rochester Deaf Kitchen. The project builds on a successful 2025 pilot in which more than 10 participants attended weekly Seed to Supper sessions taught in American Sign Language (ASL). Originally planned as a five-week course, the program continued for more than 12 weeks as participants’ enthusiasm grew, and they requested additional opportunities to learn and grow.

The $800 grant funded the creation of a dedicated Rochester Deaf Kitchen Community Garden at South Lawn Farm, with 12 additional growing beds, soil and compost, fencing, and accessible educational experiences. The space provides hands-on learning in soil health, composting, planting, integrated pest management, harvesting, and food preservation, while all produce is donated to Rochester Deaf Kitchen pantry clients to support the local community. Together, CCE Monroe Master Gardeners and RDK are increasing access to gardening education, strengthening food security, and creating an inclusive space for learning and connection.

The collaboration brings together two important goals: increasing access to fresh, locally grown food and creating opportunities for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community to participate in growing food.

A New Growing Space for Rochester Deaf Kitchen
Founded in 2022, Rochester Deaf Kitchen, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the first Deaf-led nonprofit dedicated to addressing hunger and food insecurity within the Deaf community. RDK provides culturally competent services and direct linguistic access in American Sign Language, connecting individuals and families with nutritious food, health screenings, and support services.

RDK operates the Deaf Community Food Pantry at the Rochester School for the Deaf, the Deaf Community Farm at South Lawn Farm in Rochester, and Hartford Deaf Kitchen at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, Connecticut. Through these initiatives, RDK works to improve food access, promote health and food justice, and create community-centered spaces where Deaf individuals and families can thrive.

This expansion has enabled them to welcome over 40 participants, and to grow and donate more than 500 pounds of food to RDK pantry clients. This would not have been possible without access to the land and

resources provided by CCE Monroe and the Seed to Supper mini-grant. RDK volunteers have grown tomatoes, eggplant, okra, a variety of summer and winter squash, beans, peas, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, and an array of herbs and flowers. Seeing the pantry stocked with fresh produce has been a joy for all involved.

“We are grateful to CCE Monroe for making room for us at South Lawn Farm. They brought the land and the expertise, we brought our community, and everyone eats better for it. Twelve beds means real produce for the families we serve,” said Zachary Ennis, Rochester Deaf Kitchen, Inc. Founder and Executive Director.

Building Community Through Food and Education
The project reflects CCE Monroe’s commitment to using horticulture and urban agriculture as tools for education, community connection, and access to healthy food.

“Rochester Deaf Kitchen has created something truly meaningful, bringing people together to grow food, build skills, and strengthen food access within the Deaf community. We’re proud to partner with RDK by providing the space and resources to help their vision continue to grow,” said Andrea Lista, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County.

The collaboration is an example of how small investments in community-based projects can create lasting opportunities for food access, education, and connection.