The Jean Krulis Teaching Garden sits in a very visible but previously underused area of the St. Thomas campus right next to the Harvest House. Jean Krulis was the driving force behind the creation of the gardening projects at St. Thomas. Established in her memory, the Jean Krulis Teaching Garden will reinforce our commitment to our mission by bringing our community closer to the source of their food, providing them with the tools and skills they need to grow their own, and will also serve as a peaceful area for rest and reflection. 

The Garden’s Mission statement: Access to fresh, nutritious foods and the tools to grow them remain a challenge in our neighborhood. Every child of God should have enough to eat, and the Giving Garden and Jean Krulis Teaching Garden work within St. Thomas’ mission to combat food insecurity by providing neighbors with seasonal produce at the food pantry and the opportunity to have agency and involvement in the gardening process. The Giving Garden and Jean Krulis Teaching Garden provide the space and resources for our community to be nourished socially and physically and to connect with the abundance of God’s creation by cultivating relationships with each other, our food, and the earth. 

The Jean Krulis Teaching Garden will provide space for:

• A large pick-your-own garden with a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers selected by our neighbors and always available

• Community beds for our neighbors to grow their own food

• A comfortable and welcoming social space

• Access to materials (buckets, soil, seeds/seedlings) so that our neighbors can continue growing at home

• Low-literacy signage in English and Spanish to ensure equitable access for everyone

• Community classes and seminars related to home gardening, preparing the food we grow, composting, and other relevant topics