Seeds of Solidarity Education Center began in 2000 with a mission to provide people of all ages with the inspiration and practical tools to grow food and use renewable energy in their communities. Located in the North Quabbin region, the center — powered by solar electricity — includes a 30-acre farm site with fields, forest and wetlands that serves a diverse community through a variety of programming. It offers education programs for local schools where 800 students annually plant gardens and build greenhouses on school property (six schools have participated to date), internships, a handbook for implementing school gardens and greenhouses in the Northeast, and its annual Garlic and Arts Festival, dubbed “The Festival that Stinks!” that draws more than 7,000 to the region. The organization’s primary program, Seeds of Leadership (SOL) Garden, is for low-income and underemployed youth in the area, and helps them cultivate both food and a hopeful future. More than 100 youth have been put to work, growing food for their families and the community, while learning about teamwork, citizenship, and environmental leadership. Says one participant, “Through SOL Garden, you know you are doing something, making the world better — maybe not perfect, but better.” Isn’t that all we really can hope to do? If you agree, please help.