Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine And Tara Villanueva.
Hi Kristine and Tara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Several years ago, we had the opportunity to help build a community garden from the ground up in Seabrook, TX. From planning and construction to recruiting volunteers and growing food, we experienced firsthand how a shared garden can transform an empty space into a place of connection, education, and service.
That experience sparked a passion that has only continued to grow for us. We realized that community gardens are about much more than vegetables; they’re about creating opportunities for neighbors to work alongside one another, learn new skills, and ensure that fresh, healthy food is available to those who need it most.
When the opportunity arose this spring to lead the community garden at Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, our church home, it felt like a natural next step. We brought with us the lessons we had learned, but also a vision for creating a welcoming space where everyone, regardless of experience, could feel at home. We also had the wisdom from the family of gardeners that built and grew the BAUUC Community Garden, an Urban Harvest Garden Affiliate. The hands that built these beds are still working the dirt today and it is an honor to work alongside this community.
Today we focus on building a shared space of community, supporting the local Clear Lake Food Pantry efforts, promoting organic sustainable gardening practices, and helping our youth discover the joy that can come from growing something with their own hands.
Looking back, it’s incredible to see how one opportunity to help build a garden led us to where we are today. We have donated over 70 pounds of produce from our volunteer beds this season to the food pantry and at least the same was harvested by garden members beds.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every season brings new challenges and successes, but our mission remains the same: “to change lives and heal the world“.
One of our biggest obstacles has simply been the Texas climate. The summer heat can be relentless, not just on the plants, but on the volunteers as well. Keeping a garden thriving through extreme temperatures requires constant attention, planning, and perseverance.
Another challenge has been building the garden with very limited resources. We essentially started with zero funding and only a handful of dedicated volunteers and garden members who believed in the vision. Every improvement we’ve made has been possible because of generous donations, volunteer hours, and people willing to lend a hand.
As the garden continues to grow, so do its needs. One of our highest priorities is installing an efficient irrigation system to support our existing beds, as well as the additional garden rows, raised beds, and future orchard we hope to develop. Reliable watering would not only make the garden more sustainable but also allow us to expand the amount of fresh produce we can grow for our community.
We’re also always looking for more gardeners and volunteers. Whether someone wants to grow food for their own family, learn a new skill, or join the team that helps maintain and expand the garden, there’s a place for them here. Community gardens thrive because of community, and every new person brings fresh ideas, energy, and hands to help us continue growing.
While the challenges are real, we’ve learned that every obstacle is also an opportunity. Seeing people come together to solve problems, support one another, and celebrate each harvest reminds us why this work is so rewarding.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We come from very different professional backgrounds, but those differences are what make us such a strong team.
Tara works as an HR Business Partner, where she focuses on leadership, strategic planning, team development, and solving complex organizational challenges. Outside of her professional career, she is also a Community Herbalist studying Clinical Herbalism, with a passion for connecting people to the healing power of plants and sustainable living. Whether leading teams, educating others about herbal wellness, or managing the community garden, she enjoys bringing people together and creating opportunities for growth, learning, and service.
Kristine is a stay-at-home mom whose heart has always been rooted in serving others. She has an incredible ability to see what needs to be done and simply gets to work. Whether she’s building raised beds, repairing structures, tackling maintenance projects, helping neighbors, or lending a hand wherever it’s needed, she’s known for being resourceful, hardworking, and generous with her time. She’s the kind of person who isn’t afraid to pick up a drill, a shovel, or a hammer if it means making something better for someone else.
Together, we specialize in building community. We believe that a successful garden isn’t measured only by what it grows, but by the people it brings together. We strive to create a welcoming space where everyone, from experienced gardeners to someone planting their very first seed, feels valued and encouraged.
What we’re most proud of isn’t a structure we’ve built or the amount of produce we’ve harvested. It’s seeing people connect with one another, learning new skills, sharing knowledge, and working toward a common purpose. Watching volunteers become friends, youth discovering the joy of gardening, and fresh food make its way to neighbors who need it most reminds us why we do this.
If there’s one thing that sets us apart, it’s that we don’t see the garden as just a place to grow food, we see it as a place to grow people, relationships, and a stronger community. There’s something about working side by side in the soil that naturally brings people together. As you’re weeding, watering, or harvesting, conversations just happen. You learn about someone’s family, hear how their children are doing, celebrate a new job, listen as they work through a difficult season, or simply share stories about what’s growing in their garden bed. The garden has a way of slowing life down and creating space for genuine connection.
We truly believe gardening is therapeutic. It gets people outside, moving their bodies, working with their hands, and focusing on something positive. For a little while, the stress of everyday life fades into the background. Whether someone comes to harvest vegetables, volunteer for an hour, or simply spend time with others, they leave feeling a little lighter than when they arrived. To us, that’s one of the greatest gifts a community garden can offer, not just fresh food, but a place where people feel seen, supported, and connected. Everything we do is rooted in that belief.
Any big plans?
Our vision for the future is to continue growing the garden into a place that serves both people and the environment.
In the near future, we’re focused on expanding the garden with additional raised beds, new growing rows, and a compost area. All of that is all possible with the donations that we have received so far. As we continue to grow, we’d also love to install an irrigation system that will make watering more efficient and help us care for the garden sustainably through our hot Texas summers. Once we get irrigation set, we will be able to discuss planting a small orchard, and even more beds.
Beyond the physical growth, our biggest goal is to grow the community around the garden. We’d love to welcome more gardeners, volunteers, families, schools, scout troops, and local organizations to get involved. We envision the garden becoming a place where people can learn practical gardening skills, experience the benefits of spending time outdoors, and build meaningful relationships with their neighbors.
We’re also excited to continue increasing the amount of fresh produce we can donate to local families through our food pantry partnerships. Every new garden bed and every new volunteer creates an opportunity to put more healthy, homegrown food on someone’s table.
Looking further ahead, we hope the garden becomes a lasting community resource; one that continues to educate, inspire, and nourish people for many years to come. If, years from now, someone walks through the garden and sees it thriving because a community came together to build and care for it over generations, we’ll know we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.
Pricing:
- Any Donation Helps
- $250 funds 2 new beds
- $500 funds 4 new beds
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bauucgarden.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064868732868
- Other: https://bauuc.org
