Gro ‘n Sell Donates 18,000 Plants to the Flourish Project
Delivering donations to First Fruits Farm (L) and helping with the transplanting of flowers (R). | Gro ‘n Sell
Gro ’n Sell recently donated 18,000 surplus plants grown for the upcoming Cultivate’26 industry trade show to the Flourish Project at First Fruits Farm.
The donation was made possible through the generous support of the many industry-leading breeders who partner with Gro ’n Sell, including:
- ABZ Seeds
- All-America Selections
- American Takii
- Ball FloraPlant
- Berger
- Blackmore
- Danziger
- Dümmen Orange
- Ernst Benary of America
- HilverdaFlorist
- Kientzler North America
- Pure Line Seeds, Inc.
- Quality Cuttings Team
- Sakata Ornamentals
- Selecta
- Suntory Flowers
- Syngenta Flowers
- Terra Nova Nurseries
“We are incredibly grateful to our partner breeders who were happy to share their plants. Their support allowed us to turn what would have been surplus into a source of joy for others,” says Dave Eastburn, owner of Gro ’n Sell.
The Flourish Project is part of First Fruits Farm in Freeland, MD, a non-profit dedicated to growing and donating fresh produce to those in need.
This past season marked the inaugural year for the Flourish Project. The program began by welcoming Blooming Hearts — a group of teens affected by autism, along with their parents and support staff — and quickly expanded to more than 14 different groups, serving an average of 135 participants each week.
The Flourish Project provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals with disabilities, helping participants build confidence, develop skills, foster independence, and access future employment opportunities.
“We are grateful to once again receive a generous donation of plants from Gro ’n Sell, a business that supported us last year,” says Carissa Mortenson, Director of Programming at First Fruits Farm.
How the Plants Were Put to Work
Building on last year’s efforts — which included creating flower baskets for individuals facing cancer and the elderly, and revitalizing an elementary school’s garden beds — this year’s 18,000-plant donation was woven directly into the Flourish Project’s educational curriculum and community outreach:
- Horticultural Training: Teaching participants how to transplant, repot, and maintain plant health successfully.
- Community Distribution: Providing plants to food distribution partners and supplying vibrant pollinator plants to multiple schools and community gardens throughout Baltimore City.
- Food Security Initiatives: Potting and donating hybrid container tomato plants to the “Adopt the Block” initiative in York, PA, giving low-income residents and seniors an ongoing source of fresh food.
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