Sunset Community Garden (formerly WIC Garden)
Founded in 2013, the Sunset Community Garden educates and feeds the community through its quarter-acre fruit and vegetable farm space situated between the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and the Extension Office in Olathe (11875 S Sunset Dr, Olathe, KS 66061). The garden is managed by Johnson County K-State Research and Extension in partnership with the Department of Health and Environment and includes an accompanying Giving Grove orchard. It relies on volunteer support from community members who donate their time each week to tend the beds, harvest and process produce, and stock both the nearby Nutrition Nook pantry and the Johnson County Department of Health.
Due to ongoing construction on the Sunset Drive campus, the garden will temporarily relocate to a raised bed operation next to the Dennis Patton Garden Gallery at 11811 S. Sunset Dr. for the 2026–2027 growing seasons, ensuring continued support for the JoCo Department of Health food pantry. Reconstruction of the permanent garden will begin in summer 2027, with upgraded infrastructure designed to enhance production capacity and educational opportunities when it reopens in 2028.
2024 season harvest total: 4,420 pounds, or more than 12,300 servings of fruits and vegetables Harvested produce is made available in a "Nutrition Nook" area, located inside the Health Office, with shelving to store potatoes and onions and a refigerator to store other leafy greens, carrots, and the many other wonderful fruits and vegetables we grow. Produce is also distributed to local food pantries. Sign up to volunteer here. We welcome drop ins, too! No gardening experience or equipment is required -- you will learn alongside other volunteers and Extension Small Farms Agent, Anthony Reardon. Work days are on Tuesday based on the time of year and weather patterns. All times are subject to change based on weather patterns. Please contact the office to confirm work times. Work days will be cancelled in case of inclement weather Tools are supplied. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, apply sunscreen, and bring gardening gloves if you have a pair. Contact: gardencoordinator@jocogov.org Save the dates for these fun markets , which follow Tuesday workdays, once a month during the Watch for 2026 dates to be announced and posted here.
Volunteering at the garden is a great way to learn about growing food while creating community with others, getting physical activity, and contributing to a good cause.
summer. We will offer produce from the morning's harvest. Take what you can use, and leave a donation if you can. Stay tuned for more information.