The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network (NWTN LFN) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 #GrowFoodChallenge, a regional initiative designed to inspire youth and families to grow food, reduce food waste through composting, and strengthen local food security across Northwest Tennessee.
This year’s challenge engaged 310 participants from across the region who accepted the challenge to plant, grow, learn, and share their gardening journey through themed photo and video submissions. Participants received free seeds, educational resources, and opportunities to win prizes while building lifelong skills in gardening, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
2026 #GrowFoodChallenge Winners
Grand Prize Winner ($250): McKenzie Early Head Start (Carroll County, TN) received the Grand Prize
Second Place Winner ($100): Clayton Ward received a $100 cash prize for his photo submission showcasing his gardening efforts.
Third Place Winner ($75): Brooks Crowe received a $75 cash prize for his photo submission and commitment to growing food.
“The true winners of this challenge are all 310 participants who chose to grow something this year. Every seed planted represents healthier families, stronger communities, and a more resilient local food system” – Samantha Smith Goyret, Co-Director of the Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network
Growing a Healthier Northwest Tennessee
The #GrowFoodChallenge encourages individuals, families, schools, childcare centers, and community groups throughout Northwest Tennessee’s nine-county region to grow food, compost food scraps, and share their experiences through themed photo submissions. Participants learn that gardening can happen anywhere—from large backyard gardens to raised beds, community plots, porches, and even windowsills.
This year, 7,763 free seed packets were distributed throughout Northwest Tennessee thanks to generous donations from International Seed Company and the Society of St. Andrew, helping remove barriers to gardening and making fresh food production accessible to more families.
Thank You to Our Seed Distribution Partners
NWTN LFN extends sincere appreciation to the fifteen community organizations and agencies that served as seed distribution partners, helping connect residents with free seeds and educational resources throughout the region. Their commitment ensured that participants from Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley counties had convenient access to the tools needed to begin growing food and reducing food waste.
Thank You to Our Participants
Most importantly, we thank all 310 participants who joined the 2026 #GrowFoodChallenge. Whether you planted a single herb on a windowsill, built a raised-bed garden, started a compost pile, or grew food to share with neighbors, your efforts made a difference.
Together, you have demonstrated that local food begins with local action.
As Northwest Tennessee continues building a thriving and equitable food system, the #GrowFoodChallenge remains a powerful reminder that growing food not only nourishes our bodies, it strengthens communities, supports food security, and creates lasting connections to the land and one another.
For more information about the #GrowFoodChallenge and other Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network programs, visit the #GrowFoodChallenge page.
About Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network
The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network serves as a catalyst for a thriving and equitable local food system that is accessible to all. Through education, community engagement, farm-to-school initiatives, and local food system development, NWTN LFN connects farmers, schools, organizations, and residents to create healthier communities and stronger local economies. #Getitlocal Learn more at nwtnlfn.org.