Plant the Seed is a nonprofit program that shapes community and school gardens into outdoor classrooms to educate and empower under-resourced young people–building cultural connections, advancing economic justice and improving their overall health and wellbeing. We see sowing, preparing and sharing food as a powerful tool for starting cross-cultural conversations and growing together in community.
Plant the Seed needs YOU to help grow a better world! We are always looking for volunteers to help with garden maintenance at each of our sites. We regularly post volunteer opportunities on this website and on our Facebook page. Please sign up for our volunteer list using the form to the right!
A Word from the Director
Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in our work!
Plant the Seed is a non-profit that provides experiential environmental education through garden-based lessons to educate and empower under-resourced young people in Nashville, TN. With a firm belief in the ability of outdoor classrooms to build cultural connections, advance economic justice and improve the overall health and well-being of the communities we serve, we envision a food-secure Nashville, where young people, in particular, have regular access to fresh, local, culturally-relevant foods. Plant the Seed partners with public schools in various neighborhoods in Nashville, many of which are labeled “food deserts” or have a high percentage of food insecure residents. Plant the Seed has partnered with the Metro Nashville Public Schools Department of Early Learning Innovation to integrate original garden-based curriculum into the school day at three new preschools by facilitating garden lessons and managing the growing spaces.
Students involved in Plant the Seed’s programming at their schools have the opportunity for hands-on growing education as they save seeds, plant, tend and harvest food grown on their school grounds. They gain science skills in every lesson, from learning about the composition of the soil in the garden to experimenting with chemistry as they cook and prepare food grown with their own hands. We believe this integrative approach to education prepares young people to be informed, engaged and active members of their community.
Plant the Seed’s innovative garden education isn’t just for young people–we work with school faculty and administrators to support a school climate that is based on a curiosity in new things and a willingness to explore. In our garden lessons, we partner with teachers to deliver garden lessons in a fun and emotionally empowering environment.
If you believe in food access, in the power of young people to change the food system for the better, and in growing healthy, local food for young people, come grow with us!
We look forward to growing with you.
Email Susannah at susannah (AT) planttheseed.org.