About
Matthew Wallace
Founder and Executive Director, Joy Grows
“I coordinate our team, collaborate, and share my skills with the team. Every time I talk with someone in the community, we co-develop ideas: I take input, share what we’re doing, and we shape the path forward for Joy Grows together.”
Where I’m from
I grew up part-time on a South County farm, where my mom ran a CSA. She later ran the Phoenix Academy greenhouse for a time.
The rest of the time I lived with my dad in Annapolis. He’s an engineer, had his office in Eastport, and has long been an environmental activist. I went to Annapolis High School and rode the Eastport bus after school.
In the kitchen
Growing up, I’d always help my grandma prepare food for community events at our church in South County, Christ Church West River. Being in the kitchen with her, and in the parish hall, meant so much to me. I was the age of the kids we work with now, and in that shared space I was trusted and given responsibility, like making pancakes for the Fat Tuesday dinners. That had a big impact on me.
My grandma always connected with people over food. Whether it was in the shared space at church or at her house, she brought the family together. Bringing people together over food was one of the most important things to her.
Why food and farming
A big part of it was my own health. With my autoimmune condition, I wanted to support my body with the most nourishing food possible as I grow older.
At the same time, I was volunteering at the Food Fridays program at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, where I first met Craig Cussimanio and Karma O’Neill. I saw how different the food and vegetables there were from what I was getting at local farm drop-offs and the farmers market. One of those drop-offs was right across the parking lot. That contrast stayed with me.
I wanted to find ways for everyone to get the nourishing food I knew was so important for my own health. I started with high-density indoor growing: microgreens, gourmet mushrooms, spirulina. Then I got into growing outdoors, which I’d resisted, because I saw how hard it was for my mom to be a vegetable farmer.
Now I’m focused on collaborative food production. I believe communities working together to produce their own nourishment is our best path forward.
What I’m proudest of this year
Inspiring others and mentoring youth. We can all be changemakers. We can all dedicate our lives to uplifting ourselves and our community.
When you meet me, know that I want to hear your ideas and what inspires you: what you’ve experienced, and what you see for the future. I believe our connection with the natural world, and with each other, is sacred.
See what we’ve done and our story, or email Matthew at matthew@joy-grows.org.