Greencroft Middlebury Stories

It’s often said that gardening is one of the fastest-growing hobbies for people of all ages, and it’s easy to see why. Being outside in the garden helps us pause, reflect, and find joy in the simple things. At Greencroft Middlebury, gardening is more than a pastime—it’s a passion that connects residents with nature, nourishes the body and spirit, and brings neighbors together.

For many residents, gardening is a tradition rooted in childhood. Dorothy Nisley fondly recalls days spent gardening alongside her mother: “We grew the best vegetables, and my father always really pressed upon me, ‘it’s the best vegetables, so you have to eat it!’” That wisdom shaped how she raised her own children, instilling in them not just a love for fresh produce but also an appreciation for the patience and work gardening requires.

Linda Trump shares a similar sentiment: “I always gardened. There’s a special feeling when you work the ground and plant the seeds. It just makes you feel so good that you did that.” For her, the garden is a reminder of home—a place to stay active, connected to the earth, and immersed in community.

Tony Lloyd’s journey with gardening stretches back more than 45 years. As a child, he disliked pulling weeds but loved the vegetables. Now, he gardens for exercise, to relieve life’s pressures, and, as he puts it, “to work in God’s green earth. Watching seeds you put in the ground grow is a very meaningful experience.”

Currently, our community tends ten ground-level plots and five raised beds, producing a remarkable variety—from spring’s asparagus, rhubarb, and strawberries to the summer bounty of tomatoes, beans, carrots, squash, herbs, and beyond. Grapes even make their way into the harvest come fall.

Of course, every gardener faces challenges. Last summer, deer were frequent visitors, helping themselves to peas and green beans while leaving the weeds untouched! Looking ahead, Greencroft is exploring a new location on campus for the garden—one that will provide better access for residents and allow the campus to continue its independent living growth, welcoming new neighbors. This is a perfect example of how residents and Greencroft work together to enhance the vibrancy of life on campus, ensuring spaces evolve to meet the needs and interests of the community.

The garden’s impact reaches far beyond the vegetables it yields. Residents describe how the garden provides exercise, relieves stress, and invites spiritual renewal. Tony reflects: “You can forget the cares of the world. Sometimes I’ll just walk out there in the evenings, kneel, and thank God for all he’s provided.”

For Nancy Heathman, the garden’s greatest gift is community itself: “There’s always people down there. You get to know each other because of gardening, and it’s nice to spend time together and catch up.” She cherishes sharing moments with her grandchildren there, passing along knowledge and joy to a new generation.

Even residents who don’t actively garden benefit from its presence, enjoying the beauty of the space and the produce generously shared. “A lot of people enjoy the extra vegetables we share,” Tony notes. A community box provides easy access for anyone who needs fresh produce, and stories, recipes, and gardening tips are exchanged as freely as zucchini and tomatoes.

Ask any gardener at Middlebury what the garden means to them, and you’ll hear the same word again and again: blessing. Linda sums it up beautifully: “It’s work, but it’s relaxing—just peaceful.” Tony adds, “The garden gives us something meaningful to do, and we all help each other out.”

Gardening at Greencroft Middlebury is about far more than food. It’s about nurturing roots—both literal and figurative—cultivating friendships, purpose, resilience, and gratitude. As Dorothy says simply, “I thank the Lord every day for it.”

As it says in Genesis 2:8,15: “The Lord God planted a garden...and there He placed the man...to cultivate and keep it.”

At Greencroft Middlebury, we are grateful to continue that tradition—growing together, season after season, cultivating not just food, but fellowship and the spirit of community itself.