Growing Hearts at Cul2vate

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. ~ Psalm 51:10

When Josh came to Cul2vate, his heart was only operating at 49%. After struggling with substance abuse for decades, Josh’s heart stopped, and doctors gave him only 1 year to live. That moment, Josh got on his knees and asked God to take away his addiction and change his life. After moving back to Tennessee, Josh came to Cul2vate in 2022 in search of community and meaningful work. Even though his heart was weak, Josh’s determination was strong.

Little by little, as Josh worked in the fields, growing produce, his heart grew stronger.

Josh started as a Cul2vator, embraced Cul2vate’s work and core values, and graduated our program. Because of his dedication and passion for the mission, Josh is now on staff as our Distribution Assistant. He is a dedicated employee who always works hard and has a ready smile to share. Josh’s love for his community runs deep, and from connecting with coworkers and volunteers to Cul2vate food partners, he is determined to get fresh Cul2vate produce – and hope – to people all across the state of Tennessee.

Josh’s honesty and openness helps him share his story well and helps him make deep connections with everyone visiting the Cul2vate Farm. When Craft Health volunteered, Josh shared his journey of redemption: how God took an impossible situation, led him to Cul2vate, and nurtured a community around him where his faith could grow as his heart strengthened.

The Nashville team at Craft Body Scan spends its days using non-invasive technology to help detect serious health conditions, including heart disease. So when the team came to Cul2vate to volunteer and a heart-shaped potato emerged from one of the produce boxes they were packing, everyone paused.

At first, it was simply a fun discovery—an unusually shaped potato that brought smiles and laughter to the packing line. But the more we thought about it, the more meaningful the moment became. A team committed to caring for people’s hearts had come to serve at Cul2vate, and right there among the fresh produce was a small reminder of the heart behind the work.

These are the kinds of moments we experience often at Cul2vate. They may look like coincidences, but we see them as little reminders that God is present in every detail. We see it when plants remain firmly rooted after a powerful storm. We also see it in the lives of our Cul2vators. Josh did not arrive at Cul2vate by accident. He came at the right time, to the right place, and into a community ready to walk alongside him. His journey reminds us that God often works through ordinary moments, unexpected connections, and people who are willing to show up.

Today, Josh only has to see his cardiologist every two years, and his heart is operating at full capacity. Since quitting smoking, he is off blood thinners and in good health. An active father and grandfather, Josh loves spending time with his family and bringing his grandchildren to the farm. His next goal is saving up to buy some land, and he is making great progress.

The heart-shaped potato may have been small, but its message was not. It represented the heart of Cul2vate: people serving people, food grown with purpose, lives being restored, and God quietly bringing everything together in His way and in His perfect timing. Josh’s story continually inspires, and we are so proud of his growth and change over the past four years. If you want to learn more about Josh’s story, check out this video from 2024.