Farming Advice from Our Newest Board Member
Introducing Charlie Southward: LA Compost's Newest Board Member
Welcome to the LA Compost blog: From the Top of the Pile! Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to LA Compost's newest addition to the Executive Board, Charlie Southward. Charlie Southward, is a veteran, a lifelong farmer, and founder of his own nonprofit organization In God’s Hands Garden. In this Q&A session, we had the privilege of sitting down with Charlie to discuss his background, motivations, and vision for In God’s Hand’s future. His insights are not only inspiring but also shed light on the importance of connecting to the soil and community. So let's jump right into the conversation and get to know Charlie!
Q: Hi Charlie! It’s good to speak to you. Let’s start off by you introducing yourself in your own words.
My name is Charlie Southward, I am from Riverside, California. I’m also a US Air Force veteran and formerly homeless. I own and operate IGH garden, we produce organic produce for homeless communities of LA County and Long Beach.
Q: What is In God’s Hands Garden? How did it start and what’s your mission?
I established In God’s Hands Garden or IGH as it’s often called, in 2014 at the Bell shelter, when I was a client. I was living there in the modules for veterans. The shelter had a garden there, and I wanted to be an active part of it. I started off volunteering at the garden and eventually was able to have my own part of the land to grow organic produce. I grew produce there to give to the shelter for eight years. We’re now at a new location in Long Beach where we’re going to continue serving the homeless community and the public with seasonal fruits and vegetables. I’m focusing on women’s and children's shelters, serving a large population of women and children. I’m going to be gearing up to serve them more of their dietary needs and cultural foods, to give them more of what they eat on the regular. My goal is to have an impact on ending homelessness and hunger.
Q: How did your past life experience lead you to start In God's Hands Garden?
I started gardening when I was 5 years old, it’s always been something that I’ve done as a pastime. When I got to the shelter there was a great need for it. I wanted to grow food since I’m good at it as a way to give back. The shelter was good to me, I’ve lived a good life, so this is my way of giving back.
Q: You’ve been a friend and partner of LA Compost for some time now. How do you hope to continue supporting the work of LA Compost as a Board Member?
I have my knowledge of growing to share. I am excited to share my ideas and passion for soils and how plants respond to different soil conditions.
Q: What’s exciting you about 2023?
I can’t wait to share my new location at the Growing Experience in Long Beach. Because it’s near the ocean the soil that I’m on is the most incredible thing I’ve seen. It seems like a compost factory that’s been abandoned, or like fresh compost that you just sifted. it’s really incredible. The plants have been in for two weeks, and I’m waiting for them to take off.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who wants to start gardening but doesn’t know where to start?
My advice would be to just take your start, stick a seed in a watch it grow. I started when I was five years old by planting a potato seed and watching it grow and then eventually cooking it and eating it with my mother. If you’re just doing it on your own, take the initiative! Take a seed and watch it grow and see what you can learn.
You can learn more about Charlie and for more helpful gardening advise, visit In God's Hands Garden on Instagram at @ighgardens.