Growing in a Good Way
From the spring of 2023 until the spring of 2026, Good Way Gardens was pleased to cooperate with the Lyon County History Center to cultivate gardens at the Richard Howe House. We thank the LCHC for their partnership over three great years, and the volunteers, partners and board directors who made the gardens possible. Special thanks to the Emporia Coffee & Clay Club, Emporia Arts Alliance, and GWG Garden Director Eric Paul. Seeds, like love, are never wasted.Good Way Gardens on Facebook
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Elexa Dawson has a vision: for the people of Earth to walk away from what harms us and return to what makes us human - connection with the land. She was presented an opportunity to complete a Sustainable Agriculture Certificate at Johnson County Community College.
In talks with Lyon County History Center, Elexa found common ground with their desires for the Howe House, a historical landmark in LCHS’ care. As a community resource, the Howe House is a bright spot on Emporia’s south side, and had been an underutilized space, a distinction that aligns with Elexa’s interest in placemaking.
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Eric Paul stepped forward into a new position as Garden Director, and the exponential improvements are already impressing visitors and team members alike. Culture is what we cultivate together, and good things are growing at Good Way Gardens.
A Place for Us!
2026
The "Prairie Sentinels" sculpture by Emporia Arts Council’s Coffee and Clay Club have been moved to our new location at 225 E 6th Ave! We're making a new garden from a lawn, with plenty of perrenial natives for pollinators and a shade garden sitting area for public use, and we're installing raised beds to grow traditional annual crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, greens, herbs, and roots.
The first semester of Elexa's new course, "Sustainable Garden Basics" will launch in June, 2026. Enrollment begins soon!
Be Here Now
2025
In March, the garden was full of re-seeded wildflowers, plus thyme and flat-leaf sage that survived winter under leaves and plant matter. We hope the sunflower stalks provided homes for beneficial insects. Last year’s wildflower bed is now planted with carrots and will include tomatoes, peppers, and herbs to reduce mulch needs and combat Bermuda grass. The old tomato bed is becoming a three-sisters bed, and we’re setting up a three-bay compost system with wooden pallets!
We used billboard tarps to prepare a new 50' x 50' space.
Growing at the Speed of Trust
2024
Under intern Abby Foster’s care, the garden thrived! The squash did so well in 2023 that we added another bed. The previous three-sisters bed was seeded with native wildflowers, and volunteer sunflowers flourished in 2024. The new bed grew carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, basil, and beets—all thriving despite Bermuda grass creeping in and the challenge of two separated beds. The garden is productive, and the gardeners are happy!
A First Time for Everything
2023
Our “four sisters” garden showcased Indigenous planting practices, using seeds specific to different Indigenous groups. In 2023, we grew Ponca Blue Corn (Seeds of Resistance), Potawatomi Pole Beans, Mvskoke Pumpkin, Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower), and other Helianthus. The Mvskoke Pumpkin thrived, outgrowing and shading the corn and beans too early for their success. However, we enjoyed a delicious three-sisters stew at the October “Good Way Sunday” event, featuring plenty of Mvskoke Pumpkin!
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