Meet Elizabeth Dry | Founder of Promise of Peace Gardens

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Dry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am a third generation Dallas site. I was raised to hold honor of the past and to be a problem solver of the future. This has led me to my current mission with the Promise of Peace Gardens and to a place called Mineola Texas where these same values exist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Promise of Peace Gardens is a non profit organization that has established and sustained over 15 food farms in the DFW area of Texas beginning in 2009. In January of 2023, we moved our headquarters to Mineola, Texas where we have established two new gardens – one at Waldo Way Dairy and then a couple of raised beds in the historic downtown of Mineola. In June, we will establish a “Foodscape” at the Minneola Nature Preserve. We welcome folks to visit Mineola and experience the Piney Woods and the P.O.P. Gardens. It is a magical place!

The transformations and impact have been incredible and have changed many lives . Beginning with the first P.O.P. Garden in East Dallas, I have witnessed community members connecting with others from all backgrounds while perspectives transformed, children and families changing their diets and then growing and sharing their own food, and positive activities of brotherhood happening on what were once trash ridden spaces that were a breeding ground for crime and negative activities.

The struggles have been real but each challenge that surfaced was met with a growth mindset and ended with triumph. Promise of Peace Gardens continues to grow and change lives. The positive impact has also been real and the lessons that I have learned are more valuable the any salary or monetary compensation for the hard work. I have learned tolerance, patience, and to seize the joy that is right in front of me. I have appreciation for and always celebrate the simple life and mother earth’s gifts of abundance.

The ribbon-cutting for the Mineola Nature Preserve will be on June 23rd at 11 AM.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is exactly one of the things that I’ve been doing here in Mineola. This is a great place to escape to and connect with some of the nicest folks in the world — and to see the beautiful Piney Woods. There is always something going on around here. I usually take guests to The Waldo Way Dairy, Mineola Nature Preserve, the historic downtown area where we visit the wonderful shops owned by local residents including The Beckham Hotel, Lost Creek gift shop , and the Horse Feathers Art Gallery. This gallery is ran by two phenomenal artists , Cathy Pegues and Karen Musgraves. In fact, the new Willie Nelson Mural in the downtown area was created by Karen Musgraves. You can view the mural on P.O.P.s website at promiseofpeace.us. There are so many exciting people and places to visit here and all are easily accessible with scenic roads of fantastic pines and spring Texas wildflowers! Haute Finds, Everly Jane’s, Periwinkle Shoppe, just Between Friends and one of the oldest continuously running theaters , The Select . The whole town is looking forward to the new Logan’s restaurant opening in July , 2023.

Our Okrapalooza music and food festival will be held on September 17th in Dallas . Tickets at promiseofpeace.us

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people! Chef Myneta Cockerell

Website: promiseofpeace.us

Instagram: pop_gardens

Facebook: promiseofpeacegardens

Image Credits
photo by promise of peace gardens