Based in Lane County, Oregon, our programs serve schools in four local school districts: Eugene 4J, Bethel, Springfield, and Crow-Applegate-Lorane. Each year, our staff coordinates garden-based education programs in 12 elementary schools. Our educational programs introduce students to the fundamentals of gardening while naturally conveying lessons in science, math and cultural history.

Through partnerships with local organizations including Food for Lane County, the Northwest Youth Corps, and Healing Harvest, we have supplied tens of thousands of healthy plant starts to local schools and education centers since 2006. Dedicated volunteers manage our gardens through the summer, assist with our education programs, and coordinate nursery projects. With support from local business donors, we work with several schools each year to establish new gardens.

All of our work is aimed at promoting the unique opportunities inherent in school gardens. We believe school gardens can play a crucial role in creating a holistic, engaging educational atmosphere for today’s youth: one that encourages hands-on experiences, healthy eating, and curiosity about the natural world.