The Stevens County Community Garden grew out of the findings of the 2022 Stevens County Food Systems Assessment, led by Professor Ed Brands in collaboration with UMN Morris students, community members, and local partners. The assessment found that Stevens County faces significant food security challenges, with residents identifying a need for more affordable fresh vegetables, greater access to land for gardening, and opportunities to grow culturally meaningful produce.

The creation of a community garden emerged as one of the assessment's key recommendations. In 2024, County Administrator Rebecca Young played a vital role in bringing this vision to life by working with the Stevens County Board of Commissioners and county staff to make unused county-owned land available for the garden. Through a West Central Initiative Grant, RUSC Kinship supported the garden by providing a shed, kids' corner, benches, and gardening supplies. The Benson Center for Community Partnerships at UMN Morris contributed institutional funds, as well as grant funding from The Bremer Foundation.

In 2026, the garden moved to the Morris Area High School, a joint project that will provide food for both the Morris Area cafeterias, Morris area residents, and the Stevens County Food Shelf.

Today, the Stevens County Community Garden serves as a community-driven effort to increase access to fresh, healthy, and culturally inclusive food while creating opportunities for residents to grow their own produce, connect with one another, and strengthen local food security.