Grow Together Network

An urban farm ministry of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland

The Grow Together Network exists to strengthen, connect, and deepen church-based garden and urban farm ministries across the Anglican Church Southern Queensland. It is not about replacing existing projects or taking over management/local charism/autonomy of such projects. It is about strengthening what already exists to flourish more fully as Gospel-shaped mission.

From Good Project to Recognised Ministry

Many church-based gardens/farms begin through local passion and goodwill, perhaps responding to a need in the local community. By joining the Grow Together Network, these gardens are recognised as expressions of diocesan mission, grounded in Scripture and the Anglican Communion Fifth Mark of Mission (or the fourth Mark of Mission for ACSQ).

Membership helps to articulate local projects confidently, affirming that -

  • “This garden/farm is not peripheral - it is central to who we are as church.”

  • Through the Network, gardens/farms gain clearer identity, purpose, and legitimacy within diocesan life.

Theological and Liturgical Support

Garden/farm ministries are rich in spiritual meaning but sometimes lack theological and liturgical integration. 

The Network offers: 

  • shared theological framing around land, food, justice, and community 

  • liturgical resources (blessings, commissioning, harvest, prayer in the garden/farm) 

  • support in integrating the garden/farm ministry into worship, preaching, and formation 

This helps gardens/farms move beyond merely activity into a celebration of the spiritual and theological underpinnings of the missional work of the church. 

Practical Support and Shared Learning

Garden/farm leaders often face common challenges: sustainability, volunteer fatigue, governance questions, and long-term planning.

Through the Network, members gain:

  • access to shared learning from Baroona Farm and other sites around the diocese.

  • peer mentoring and connection

  • guidance on best practice for inclusive, sustainable models

  • The Mission Chaplain/Manager serves as a connector, supporter, and problem-solver, helping gardens learn from one another rather than working in isolation.

Renewed Missional Focus: Feeding the Hungry

All ‘Grow Together’ Network gardens/farms commit to an outward-facing missional focus grounded in Matthew 25.

This does not require identical expressions, but it does require intentionality:

  • growing food with and for those in need – not just a one directional charity (involve people in the growing/planning etc)

  • sharing produce relationally and with dignity

  • asking continually, “Who is this for beyond ourselves?”

The Network helps gardens/farms discern appropriate and sustainable ways to live this calling in their local context.

Belonging to Something Larger

Joining the Network means becoming part of a diocesan movement rather than a stand-alone project. 

Members benefit from: 

  • shared storytelling and celebration 

  • encouragement and mutual accountability 

  • connection with others undertaking similar work 

This sense of belonging reduces isolation and burnout and builds hope and resilience. 

Advocacy, Visibility, Sustainability

Individually, parish gardens can struggle for recognition and resources. Together, the Network:

  • advocates for creation-care ministries within the Diocese

  • strengthens access to partnerships

  • Explores potential funding avenues.

  • builds long-term sustainability beyond individual leaders

  • The Mission Chaplain/Manager helps tell the collective story of the Network and supports gardens/farms to plan for the future.

For More Information

Try these resources:

Email Samuel Dow: growtogether@anglicanchurchsq.org.au