Kate Deyst (center) helps a group of children plant a garden during a Growing Places Garden Project installation. (Courtesy photo)

When Harvard residents Kate Deyst and Cindy Buhner started Growing Places Garden Project 10 years ago, they wanted to help low-income families provide fresh vegetables and herbs for themselves. What they didn't know was that they were creating a framework that would leverage a widespread desire among local individuals and businesses to also help combat the food insecurity growing among low-income households. The ripples from the seeds they planted in 2001 are still spreading.

Deyst was inspired by a Smithsonian magazine article she read about activist Dan Barker's success donating raised-bed vegetable gardens to needy people in the Portland, Ore., area. She shared the idea with her friend Buhner while their children played together. Growing Places was born.

Two or three raised beds and tiny seedlings are a great start, but are not enough to meet Growing Places' goal to create lifelong gardeners.

The organization gives individuals, families, and communities a two-year commitment of support. Garden mentors, who help garden recipients plan and plant their gardens, are available by phone or email for consultation through the first year. Volunteers return the second year with seeds and seedlings. The group also offers lectures, workshops, a newsletter, and web material to help develop core competencies.

Growing Places recently included a six-week class designed to promote healthy food choices. The group of partners with Share our Strength's Cooking Matters for nutrition-based cooking classes.

The first year, Buhner and Deyst installed five gardens, and the organization has grown steadily ever since. This spring, Growing Places plans to build more than 60 gardens in North Central Massachusetts with the help of an expanding circle of supporters and volunteers.

By 2008, Growing Places' growth warranted hiring an executive director to take on the day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, the need for its services has also grown as the economy sags.

"It is now ever more critical to do the work that Growing Places does," said Growing Places' Executive Director Joanne Foster in a recent statement.

Growing Places' website, www.growingplaces.org, lists 33 businesses, six foundations, three recent community grants, 148 individual donors, 24 partnering organizations and businesses, and 175 volunteers, who give time, money, and services to the organization. In a 2008 letter to the editor, Deyst recognized Agnes M. Lindsay Trust of Manchester, New Hampshire, along with Barker's Home Gardening Project Foundation for some of the initial funding.

The Harvard community, which has embraced the idea since its inception, is well represented in the lists. Besides financial donations, every year many Harvard residents hammer frames, shovel soil, and help families plant and grow fresh produce.

To celebrate their ten-year anniversary, Growing Places has planned a Harvest Gala at The Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton Thursday, Nov. 3, that will include, appropriately, a buffet dinner from locally raised foods. The evening will recognize Deyst and Buhner who continue to volunteer their time to Growing Places.

Laynee DeMerchant of "The Garden Guys" on Boston Talks 96.9 FM will give a keynote address. Proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will help Growing Places continue its work in the 22 central Massachusetts communities it serves.

Details about the anniversary event can be found in this week's Current Events section and at www.growingplaces.org.