Programs

Youth Grow

GARDEN-BASED EDUCATION

Youth Grow provides hands-on education in school gardens to help all children feel accepted and empowered to make healthy choices, become stewards of the environment, share their culture and increase community resiliency.

What We Do

Educate

Lead garden-based education during the school day, afterschool and summer to engage kids in science and interdisciplinary learning while building skills of classroom teachers. Each year we teach over 2000 students during the school day and 300 in afterschool Garden Clubs.

During the Coronavirus school closures, we have pivoted to provide innovative programming:

  • * Youth Grow YouTube channel with video lessons! These lessons were embedded into teacher’s distance learning activities at 10 schools. Growing Gardens educators also joined the “live” online class meetings from the gardens.
  • * Distributed hundreds of take-home Garden Kits (pots, soil, seeds, “Sprout Journal” activity book, ruler and Home Gardens flyer) at school-based food pantries.
  • * Shifted to production gardening at school gardens to harvest vegetables and donate them to families at school-based food pantries

Promote Health

Improve access to and child enthusiasm for healthy fruits and vegetables. This year our goal is to harvest at least 800lbs of produce to donate to the cafeteria, offer in taste-tests and give to families.

Inspire Environmental Stewards

Inspire the next generation of environmental conservationists. We get kids outside to have hands-on experiences with the biodiversity of nature. Lessons that connect to the big picture (soil fertility, pollination, carbon cycle, climate, etc.)

Build Community

Facilitate intergenerational and multicultural community-building. Last year we participated in over 50 school events to connect families around common interests in gardens and food.

Focus on Sustainability

Build the skills, sense of ownership and resources to ensure that garden programs continue beyond GG’s partnership with each school.

Build a Movement

Play a leadership role in the regional movement to expand and sustain school garden programs for more children, teachers and families.

Where we Work

Our current school partners are:

  • Faubion K-8
  • Lent K-8
  • Kelly K-5
  • Whitman K-5
  • Scott K-5
  • Cherry Park K-5
  • Glenfair K-5
  • Davis K-5
  • Powell Butte K-5
  • Patrick Lynch K-5
  • David Douglas High School

To apply for a school partnership, please contact our Youth Grow Program Manager Amoreena. Youth Grow takes on new commitments as funding allows and seeks opportunities for joint fundraising.