Barron Prize

Meet the Winners and Honorees

September 20, 2022

Steven Hoffen founded Growing Peace to foster peace between communities in conflict and to construct hydroponic systems to help feed vulnerable groups. His nonprofit grew out of a 17-minute documentary film he created to highlight the hydroponics project at an Israeli nonprofit called Sindyanna of Galilee. The project brings Jewish and Arab women together to grow food hydroponically on the rooftops of Arab women’s homes. The women are able to feed their families, sell what they don’t eat, learn new job skills – and grow peace. Steven’s inspiration began on a family trip to Israel, where he spent a day at Sindyanna. Moved by their work, he decided to share it with others through a documentary, despite no filmmaking experience. His documentary has won awards in more than 70 film festivals around the world. Most recently, he has raised more than $15,000 to construct a hydroponics system at a Tel Aviv food pantry that primarily serves asylum seekers from Africa. “I’ve realized my central belief is that everyone should have an equal opportunity to live their life to the fullest,” says Steven. “I’m proud to help people do that in a small way and to try to help solve some of the world’s big problems.”