PRESS RELEASE: The Edible Prairie Project Secures $391,879 to Develop 41-Acre Nonprofit Farm

September 8, 2025

From One Acre to 41: New farm will expand local food production, improve food safety, and strengthen food access for Campbell County families

GILLETTE, Wyo – September 8, 2026 - The Edible Prairie Project has secured $391,879.29 in grants, donations, and in-kind support to develop its new 41-acre nonprofit farm, marking a major step forward in the organization's effort to expand local food production for Campbell County families. The total builds on an earlier $58,566.10 raised to purchase the land itself.

Since 2019, the Edible Prairie Project has grown food on one borrowed acre of land. In 2025 alone, the organization produced 7,431 pounds of fresh produce from that one acre for its Veggie Basket and gleaning programs.

Now, with 41 acres of its own, the organization is building the infrastructure to take that work to a much larger scale.

“The farm gives us something we simply haven’t had before, the space and infrastructure to grow substantially more food,” said Erin Galloway, Executive Director of the Edible Prairie Project. “The high tunnels will extend our growing season, and the wash and pack facility will allow us to handle what we grow safely and efficiently. Together, those pieces will help us put more farm-grown food into our food access programs.”

From One Acre to 41

Development of the farm is already underway. A perimeter fence encloses all 41 acres, the property’s water well has been drilled and is operational, and electrical power is now on site.

The next phase includes construction of three high tunnels with drip irrigation and a permanent wash and pack facility, supported through the Food Security System Implementation Project through the Wyoming Department of Family Services. The high tunnels will increase the amount of fresh produce the Edible Prairie Project can grow early in the year. The wash and pack facility will provide the infrastructure needed to safely wash, sort, and pack larger quantities of farm-grown produce as production grows, and move more of that food into its Veggie Basket and other food access programs.

Funding is in place for construction of the building itself, but the project still needs funding for plumbing, electrical, and septic work to complete the facility.

“This farm represents a significant investment in the future of our community,” said Michelle Otten, Board Chair of the Edible Prairie Project. “We know there are challenges to building a farm from the ground up, but we also know what is possible when our community comes together around a shared vision. The support we’ve received has helped turn 41 acres of land into the foundation for something that can serve Campbell County for years to come.”

Community Investment in the Farm

The development of the farm has been made possible through the support of community and regional partners.

Devon Energy has provided $69,918.25 toward the farm’s development, including fencing, the water well, and installation of electrical power. Devon Energy also supported the original land purchase.

The Socrates Foundation of Wyoming provided $40,000 toward construction of the perimeter fence surrounding the 41-acre property.

Matheson Drilling provided $29,281 in donated water well services, making a considerable in-kind contribution toward establishing water infrastructure on the property.

The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program provided $5,000 to support fencing and water infrastructure.

The Food Security System Implementation Project through the Wyoming Department of Family Services is providing $247,680.04 toward the farm’s newest infrastructure, including $171,180.04 for the permanent wash and pack facility and $76,500 for construction of the three high tunnels and installation of drip irrigation. This support is central to expanding the Edible Prairie Project’s ability to grow, safely handle, and store fresh produce for its food access programs.

Together, these investments are part of the $391,879.29 in funding and in-kind support secured specifically for development of the Edible Prairie Project’s nonprofit farm.

Growing More Food for Local Families

The new farm will directly strengthen the Edible Prairie Project’s ability to grow fresh food for its Veggie Basket and gleaning programs.

In 2026, the Edible Prairie Project has distributed 290 free Veggie Baskets and counting to SNAP/WIC families, with approximately 90% of the produce grown by the organization’s own team.

With 41 acres of its own, the Edible Prairie Project will have significantly more space to grow food for local families. The high tunnels will also allow the organization to begin producing more food earlier in the season, with spring production expected to double beginning in 2027.

“We’ve seen what we can accomplish with one acre,” Galloway said. “When you’re sitting in that small garden and looking at everything we’ve been able to grow there, it’s exciting to imagine what we can do with 41 acres. This is the next chapter for the Edible Prairie Project.”

The Edible Prairie Project will continue fundraising for the remaining infrastructure needed to complete the wash and pack facility, including plumbing, electrical, and septic work.

About the Edible Prairie Project

The Edible Prairie Project bridges the food insecurity gap in Campbell County, Wyoming, through sustainable food production, equitable distribution, and the cultivation of community connections. The organization’s vision is a food-secure Campbell County built on thriving local agriculture and community partnership.

Programs include Local Veggie Baskets, Summer Weekend Meals for Kids, Little Free Pantries, gleaning, and garden kits.