Gro ‘n Sell, breeding partners donate 18,000 surplus plants from Cultivate’26

Gro ‘n Sell donated 18,000 surplus plants from preparations for the upcoming Cultivate’26 trade show to the Flourish Project at First Fruits Farm in Freeland, Maryland. The donation was made with support from the company’s breeding partners: BallFloraPlant, Selecta One, Dümmen Orange, Suntory Flowers, Syngenta Flowers, Terra Nova Nurseries, Quality Cuttings Team, Danziger, Sakata Ornamentals, Kientzler North America, All-America Selections, American Takii, Ernst Benary of America, HilverdaFlorist, Pure Line Seeds, Berger, Blackmore and ABZ Seeds.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partner breeders who were happy to share their plants,” Dave Eastburn of Gro ‘n Sell said. “Their support allowed us to turn what would have been surplus into a source of joy for others.”

The Flourish Project is part of First Fruits Farm, a nonprofit in Freeland, Maryland, that grows and donates fresh produce to people in need. The program provides volunteer opportunities for individuals with disabilities and expanded during its first season to serve more than 14 groups, averaging 135 participants each week.

According to the organization, the donated plants were incorporated into educational programming and community outreach efforts.

How the plants were put to work

• Horticultural training: Participants learned how to transplant, repot and maintain healthy plants.
• Community distribution: Plants were distributed through food distribution partners and provided as pollinator plants for schools and community gardens throughout Baltimore.
• Food security initiatives: Hybrid container tomato plants were potted and donated to the Adopt the Block initiative in York, Pennsylvania, providing low-income residents and seniors with a source of fresh produce.

Photos courtesy of Gro ‘n Sell.