Wisconsin Lawyer Feeds Families Through Urban Farming Vision

For 10 years, Deirdre Garton has turned her passion for protecting young people into something they can actually taste.

The former Dane County prosecutor now serves on the board of Rooted, a Madison organization that teaches kids to grow their own food while feeding families across the community. She joined in 2014 and hasn't stopped planting seeds since.

During her career as Deputy District Attorney in the Juvenile Division, Deirdre created programs to help crime victims and developed Wisconsin's first child advocacy center. The center reduced trauma for young abuse survivors by making investigations less scary for kids and their families.

Now she channels that same protective instinct into soil and sunshine. Rooted partners with 12 Madison schools to teach hands-on agriculture, giving students real skills they can use for life.

The organization distributes thousands of pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries and neighborhood centers. They run Troy Farm and Badger Rock Urban Farm, plus support community gardens throughout Dane County where families can grow their own healthy food.

Deirdre recently hosted a fundraiser dinner featuring vegetables and ingredients from Rooted's farms. The farm-to-table event showed exactly what urban agriculture can create when community members have access to land and knowledge.

The Ripple Effect

Rooted's reach extends far beyond the garden rows. Their year-round youth employment program gives teenagers job experience and paychecks while teaching them sustainable farming practices.

The organization hosts free community events throughout Madison, building connections between neighbors who might never have met otherwise. Through the Community Gardens Network of Dane County, they help people across the region start their own growing spaces.

Both Rooted and Quivey's Grove, the restaurant Deirdre co-owns with her family, received the City of Fitchburg Mayoral Award in 2025. The restaurant has served the community for over 45 years, showing the same commitment to nourishing neighbors.

Community Shares of Wisconsin named Deirdre this month's Backyard Hero for her dedication to building food systems that actually work for everyone. Her wisdom and joyful encouragement keep Rooted growing strong.

From courtroom to garden, Deirdre has spent her career making sure kids have what they need to thrive.