Promise of Peace Gardens
A Nonprofit Feeding Minds, Bodies and Souls Through Hands-On Farming and Food Education
Promise of Peace Gardens founded and sustains Sunshine Acres, a 14-acre garden in Mineola, Texas. Promise of Peace Gardens has spent over 17 years creating food security through establishing 19 food farms through education, chemical-free growing, and earth-to-table programs that bring families back to the table.
Main Programs
Soup It Forward
1. Grown by Young Hands
Every soup kit holds organic produce our youth interns and volunteers planted, tended, and harvested on three acres at Sunshine Acres.
2. Cooked Around One Table
Each kit comes with a recipe, a family cooking guide, and ingredients. The conversations that evolve from creating a meal together lead to successful pathways.
3. Shared With a Neighbor
After finishing the soup, one portion is shared with someone near or in need.
Donate today and become a soup SOUL-DIER by contributing $20 dollars or more. Each $20 donation provides one soup kit.
Upcoming Events
Okrapalooza Appaloosa 2026 Food and Music Festival
Time: Sunday, September 6 · 1–4 PM ·
Location: The Venue at Cope Ranch, 2979 FM778, Mineola, TX 75773
Every ticket sold feeds families across Wood County.
Top chefs across Texas compete in the okra cook-off!
Live music with musical guests Katie Wallace, and Meredith Crawford
Children under 12 are free. A children's area with activities will be provided.
Join Our Newsletter
"If you believe in supporting local small Farmers, and you believe that our children deserve to thrive in our schools, then please join us on this journey to create Food justice." - Elizabeth Dry
Promise of Peace in the News
Elizabeth Dry was named the East Texas 2026 Remarkable Woman by KETK for feeding students' stomachs and minds through the farm-to-table program at Mineola ISD.
KLTV covered how Sunshine Acres and Mineola ISD students are growing and distributing fresh produce to neighbors across Wood County.
A profile on Elizabeth Dry and the Sunshine Acres story — how one woman turned empty land into a working community farm in Mineola.
Elizabeth Dry was named the East Texas 2026 Remarkable Woman by KETK for feeding students' stomachs and minds through the farm-to-table program at Mineola ISD.
Promise of Peace Gardens, brought the food-education program from the Dallas area to East Texas. The program, called ‘Soup It Forward,’ is meant to pair home-cooking skills with a lesson in sharing.
The Soup it Forward Initiative launched in January, supplying soup kits – fresh ingredients from the garden and recipes – to families, who are encouraged to take an additional kit to share with a neighbor.
Promise Of Peace Gardens Other Programs
Seed to Soul Cooking Classes
Our farm-to-table cooking classes teach families and community members how to turn fresh, chemical-free produce into real meals. Students and adults learn side by side: hands in the soil, hands in the kitchen. These classes run year-round at Sunshine Acres and partner locations across East Texas.
Earth to Table Kids Camps
Day camps at Sunshine Acres and the Mineola Nature Preserve give kids a place to dig in: literally. They learn about soil health, plant science, seasonal growing, and how to cook what they harvest.
To arrange an agricultural experience or kids camp, email Elizabeth at: [email protected]
Transformational Educational Experiences
Promise of Peace Gardens provides transformational educational experiences and is a practical, sustainable model for food security where neighbors help neighbors.
See the Farm in Action
Mineola ISD students at Sunshine Acres
Chemical-free produce, straight from the soil
Earth to Table camp at the Mineola Nature Preserve
Seed to Soul cooking class
14 acres of growing potential
Okrapalooza — our annual celebration
Our Sponsors
Promise of Peace Gardens is grateful for the partners who help us grow. Great people digging in to change lives one seed at a time.
Support Us on East Texas Giving Day
Your donation goes directly to growing food, educating kids, and feeding families across Wood County and East Texas. Every dollar stays local.
Donate to Promise of Peace Gardens
Promise of Peace Gardens provides three things that are changing how our communities see food and the world around them - Soup It Forward, Seed to Soul Cooking Classes, and Earth to Table Education.
Your support keeps these programs running and growing. You are always welcome to come by Sunshine Acres and see how your support grows - literally.
Or call Elizabeth at 214-240-9220 to learn how you can help.
Get In Touch
Promise of Peace Gardens can coach you on your quest to grow and prepare your own food for one entire season - from soil preparation to food production to the celebration of that food at your table.
For a tour, classes, or to volunteer, contact Elizabeth at
Promise of Peace Gardens
Elizabeth Dry | 214-240-9220
Sunshine Acres Community Farm, Mineola, Texas
© 2026 Promise of Peace Gardens. All rights reserved.
