It’s Not Just Vegetables Growing in the Gardens

Well-tended vegetable gardens have replaced previously unused plots: In five disadvantaged communities, 40 families are being given the opportunity to acquire the practical skills needed for gardening and to strengthen their self-sufficiency by building on their own resources through the Small Garden Program run by Provident Financial Ltd. and the Hungarian Interchurch Aid.

Backyard farming has long been a crucial component of family livelihoods in Hungary, but the knowledge required for it has faded into the background in many households over the past few decades. The Kiskert program, launched in 2024 by Provident Financial Ltd. and the Hungarian Interchurch Aid in response to this loss of knowledge, now supports 40 disadvantaged families in learning the basics of gardening, develop their own growing areas, and gain practical knowledge that can contribute to strengthening self-sufficiency in the long term.

In addition to the materials needed for gardening, participants receive ongoing professional guidance on planting, plant care, harvesting, and processing crops. The initiative also includes the creation of model gardens where participants can learn the skills needed for gardening, refresh their existing knowledge, and gain firsthand experience in how to maintain a successful small garden. Maintaining the model gardens also serves as a motivational tool for program participants: they receive tokens for their efforts, which they can redeem for non-perishable food items and household goods at the local branches of the Hungarian Interchurch Aid. In addition to imparting gardening knowledge, the program also supports the strengthening of families and communities.

“The families’ attitude is very positive; they work in their gardens with great enthusiasm. They want to learn and improve so they can achieve even better results,” agricultural engineer Béla Bárczi said regarding the program, which this year is helping disadvantaged families in five northern Hungarian towns (Vizsoly, Novajidrány, Kázsmárk, Léh, and Rásonysápberencs) this year. “Overall, the results are excellent despite the heat wave, and the families are very proud of their harvest. In many places, children of all ages are involved in gardening, which is a very good thing, because if someone is introduced to gardening at an early age, there’s a better chance it will remain a part of their life as an adult,” he added.