Programs
Youth Grow
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Did You Know
Studies have shown that school gardens can positively impact children’s food choices by improving their preferences for vegetables and increasing their nutrition knowledge overall.
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What We Do
Growing Gardens' Youth Grow program engages kids in food and gardening, giving them new perspectives on food, health, and the world around them
How We Do It
Our holistic garden-based curriculum grows along with the student leading them to a deeper understanding of nutrition, science, and nature. Our thoughtfully designed content aims to improve diet and health outcomes while Inspiring the next generation of environmental conservationists.
Classroom
Curriculum
Our team of trained educators use a standards-aligned curriculum to teach environmental science, nutrition, and food traditions in the classroom setting.
60 LESSONS OFFERED FROM
PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE!
Take Home
Kits
Additional produce is packaged into engaging and culturally-appropriate recipe kits designed to inspire healthy eating habits at home.
OVER 1,000 KITS ARE OFFERED EVERY SCHOOL YEAR!
School learning
Gardens
Participating schools can take the classroom curriculum outdoors for hands-on learning in their very own school garden (created by the students- for the students!).
WE CURRENTLY CULTIVATE 12 SCHOOL GARDENS!
After-School/ Summer Programs
Students are encouraged to deepen their learning through a variety of age-appropriate after-school programs.
WE CURRENTLY OFFER AFTER-10 SCHOOL PROGRAMS!
Cafiteria
Tastings
Produce harvested from the schools own learning garden is brought indoors for cooking classes, tasting sessions, and supplemental nutrition in the cafeteria.
OUR GOAL IS TO OFFER 46 DIFFERENT TASTINGS IN 2023!
Teen
Internships
We inspire the next generation of food leaders through a variety of summer programs and internships for high school-age students.
WE MENTOR 3 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS EACH YEAR!
Lessons in English
and Spanish
Growing Gardens is committed to making garden-based education accessible to all. In 2022, we offered 35 lessons in Spanish serving 175 students in their native language.
Special Projects
Our Youth Grow team is always looking for innovative ways to improve upon their existing programs and reach children where they are at. Here are our current special projects.
GUEST SPEAKERS
To amplify our messaging inside the classroom, Youth Grow partners with a wide variety of guest speakers. Students learn where food comes from, and explore food system issues by connecting with local farmers and food system leaders.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
In addition to our K-8 curriculum, Youth Grow staff introduce fruits and vegetables to young children and engage them in exploring nature.
YOUTH SHELTERS
Youth Grow helps newly arrived immigrant youth at Morrison Child & Family Services grow fresh food in a courtyard garden and enjoy therapeutic gardening activities.
RESOURCE ALLOCATION
In addition to our in-depth partnerships at 12 schools, Growing Gardens serves as the regional
education hub of the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network. Learn More Here.
SCHOOL GARDEN
COORDINATOR CERTIFICATE
Want to cultivate your own garden program? We are excited to offer our School Garden Coordinator Certificate in partnership with Oregon State University. By the end of this training, you will have the knowledge, skills and resources required to implement an edible garden program at your own school.
learn more
What Teachers
Are Saying
The Youth Grow program has worked with hundreds of teachers over the years. Here's what they had to say in our most recent survey...
“Growing Gardens planted not just things that grow in gardens but the seeds of inquiry for my students this year. When we are outside for any reason they now see things they never knew existed: birds, pollinators, insects and seedlings. They want to learn more and more about each of these. It’s like a light-switch was flipped on!”
~ 2nd grade teacher at Glenfair Elementary
93% of teachers agree that Garden-based lessons help develop student’s science skills
95% of teachers agree that garden education is an effective way to teach students about the environment
95% of teachers agree that the hands-on nature of garden lessons was effective in engaging English Language Learners
93% of teacher agree that garden lessons were accessible and engaging for their students with special learning needs
91% of teachers agree that lesson content and delivery engaged students of a diversity of racial and ethnic identities
100% of teachers agree that their students benefit from the Youth Grow program
Here's How You Can Help
Donate today to help us keep our Youth Grow program alive and thriving. Then subscribe to the News Beet newsletter to learn more about our work, receive regular program updates, and be the first to know about opportunities to volunteer.
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Additional Programs
Follow the links below to learn more about the three powerful programs we offer at Growing Gardens.
Home
Gardens
Providing bilingual resources and guided support for individuals & families as they grow their own garden at home.
Youth
Grow
Inspiring youth to practice sustainability, make healthy choices, and deepen their understanding of the natural environment.
Lettuce
Grow
working directly with incarcerated individuals in prisons to cultivate new skills and build a healthier community.