Project Grow
Project Grow was started by the Porcupine Clinic in response to the Diabetes epidemic
on the reservation. Over 44% of the adult population of the reservation have been
diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. The project was launched April 24, 1995 with
virtually no money but a lot of commitment.
Project Grow's mission was to encourage the community to get back to growing their own
healthy foods, which is a major factor in Diabetes prevention.
The program targeted youth and was introduced into three schools the first year. The
schools reported tremendous interest and enthusiasm in the project. Children were planting
and tending their gardens and spurring interest in the adults of the family.
Prevention is a major emphasis at the Porcupine Clinic and this project was a model for
healthy eating. Although there was minimal financial support from different organizations,
the Project Grow was ended in September of 1995 because of lack of funds.
There just aren’t moneys for projects such as Project Grow, to promote prevention.
We then end up with epidemic statistics such as 44% of the adults being diagnosed with
Type II Diabetes.