Our School Garden Challenge

 
 

What We’re Tackling

Many schools in Los Angeles, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, lack access to green space, fresh food, and hands-on education. Without support, even well-intentioned garden programs fall into disrepair.

We address this by equipping schools with funding, training, and mentorship and empowering students to lead. Students learn to grow food, care for ecosystems, and advocate for healthier, more sustainable communities.

This fall, we’re inviting five school sites to join our pilot Gardening Challenge. It’s a chance to put our curriculum, materials, and mentorship to work in creating the most impactful, innovative, and sustainable school gardens. What will they grow? How will they engage their communities? How can we work together, and what can we learn from one another? Let’s find out, together.

How We Measure Success

We define success by the growth we see in gardens, in students, and in communities.
We track:

  • Number of schools participating and gardens created or revitalized

  • Pounds of produce grown and shared

  • Hours students spend in programming

  • Community events and participation rates

  • Student growth in leadership, confidence, environmental knowledge, and civic engagement

  • Quality of gardens using a rubric focused on design, sustainability, integration with curriculum, and community involvement

Our evidence shows this approach works - and we’re scaling it to serve more schools and more students every year.

Why It Matters

When young people, especially those in communities most impacted by environmental injustice, are given the tools to create change, they grow into lifelong stewards of their neighborhoods and the planet.

By 2030, we aim to support 20+ campuses, activating thousands of students to grow food, build green infrastructure, and transform Los Angeles into a healthier, more equitable, and more resilient city from the ground up.

2025–2026 Gardening Challenge Goals:

  • 5,000+ people directly and indirectly impacted

  • 5 schools supported with starter kits, mentorship, and curriculum

  • School gardens judged on equity, sustainability, creativity, and community impact

  • Students leading hands-on learning, local events, and advocacy for green space

    Sponsor a School

    Help bring green space, wellness, and leadership training to the next generation by sponsoring the Chicas Verdes Gardening Challenge. We are actively seeking corporate partners to provide funding and in-kind donations, such as materials, tools, plants, or expertise, that help schools and students thrive.

    Sponsorship opportunities include brand recognition in school gardens, on our social media channels, and at high-visibility community events. Sponsors are also invited to participate in garden clean-up volunteer days, offering a meaningful way to connect directly with students and the school community while showcasing your commitment to sustainability and equity.

    Let’s grow something impactful together.