A GROWING
EXPERIENCE
FOR EVERYONE
A little over 10 years ago, Gilbert Altschul - owner of Gibs - met Gavin Eagan, a UW-Madison graduate student specializing in sustainable agriculture. Soon after, Gavin proposed to transform Grampa's backyard into a research site for his Master's thesis. The project introduced rainwater swales to curb erosion and collect rainwater that would typically drain into our nearby lakes. Various plants and green matter were added to capture carbon, and a small paw paw orchard was established, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable plot.
Today, the initiative has grown. Gilbert and Gavin have expanded their vision and enlisted additional support. Elliott Gilfillan now oversees the daily operations and manages a compost program that processes food waste from restaurants across the near east side—some of which is used to enrich Grampa's garden. Our garden showcases the potential of our small urban space.
We invite you to explore our garden but tread carefully— we rely on our thriving ecosystem!
