Planting Wellness Through Seeds of Change

Beats Beds and Browns inspires 100000 gardeners in ten years

A grassroots effort in Northwest Indiana is taking root with a mission to grow both food and community. Beats, Beds & Browns, founded by Joseph Skibbie, has launched a 10-year campaign called #100kin10yrs, aiming to connect 100,000 people with gardening and agriculture. 

The initiative’s goal is simple yet powerful: distribute 100,000 heirloom seed kits, teach people to grow their own food, and promote physical and mental wellness through hands-on engagement with nature. 

What began as Skibbie’s personal coping outlet during the pandemic has flourished into a regional collaboration involving community members, health organizations like Franciscan Health’s Food Is Medicine program, and advocacy groups such as the NWI Food Council. 

Through Beats, Beds & Browns, Skibbie fuses his three passions—gardening, hip hop, and brown spirits—creating an experience that is educational, cultural, and community-driven. The project bridges different groups through music, soil, and shared purpose. 

“It really is a miracle,” said Skibbie. “You put the seed into the ground, and out comes something magical that can feed your family, your neighbors, and your soul.” 

At a time when food insecurity and mental health challenges are rising, #100kin10yrs offers a hopeful path forward. Whether through balcony gardens or community seed drives, the initiative invites everyone to grow food, connection, and resilience—one seed at a time. 

Photo Credit:  pexels-greta-hoffman