Land to Learn cultivates connection to food, land, and community by engaging youth in hands-on, garden-based education that nourishes health, ecological awareness,
and collective well-being.
We envision children growing up with deep respect for the land, their communities, and all living things, nourished by nutritious food and inspired to make joyful, culturally-grounded choices about their health. Through inclusive garden-based programs we cultivate resilience, curiosity, and equity in learning, while planting seeds for stronger local food systems, rooted in community, justice, and care for the earth.
Our programs serve about 3,500 youth annually in New York’s Hudson Valley region.
SproutEd, our flagship program, sparks excitement and curiosity as it brings garden-based education to K-3rd grade students in public elementary schools across Kingston, Newburgh, and Beacon, NY. We transform schoolyards into thriving food gardens and deliver dynamic, hands-on lessons each month during the school day, weaving together gardening, nutrition, cooking, plant science, and environmental stewardship. Our multi-year curriculum is a journey of discovery, designed to captivate young minds and nurture both academic growth and social-emotional well-being. Students get their hands dirty planting seeds, harvesting colorful vegetables, whipping up delicious, healthy snacks, and exploring their own powerful connection to food, health, and the wonders of the natural world. Beyond the garden, we collaborate with schools to champion fresh, local produce in cafeterias and to inspire broader wellness and environmental initiatives that ripple throughout the community.
We extend our impact through Summer Sprouts, our summer camp program in Beacon, and SproutEd Summer with both the Kingston City School District, and the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. These programs give children, aged 6-11, additional opportunities to explore gardening, fresh food, nature, and wellness in joyful, hands-on environments.
Our Radicle Roots teen program provides paid summer employment and leadership development to youth ages 15–19 in Beacon and Newburgh. Teen apprentices maintain school and community gardens, assist with educational programming, and develop valuable skills in food systems, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Participants gain work experience, mentorship, and a deeper connection to their local food system.
Through our DigInternship, we partner with regional colleges to give students - our future educators and community leaders - hands-on experience in education, gardening, and nonprofit management. Land to Learn gains valuable support, while interns develop practical skills. The broader community benefits as more young people come to appreciate garden-based environmental and nutrition education.
With our ToolShed initiative, Land to Learn offers resources, professional development, and consulting services to schools and childcare centers seeking to implement garden-based learning programs. These offerings extend our impact beyond our direct-service footprint, helping to seed similar programs throughout the region.
We also engage broader audiences through our FamilyTable Make & Taste Cooking Workshops and other events for families, offering hands-on experiences in gardening, science and art projects, and food preparation. These community offerings support our mission to make knowledge and skills around healthful eating and ecological literacy more widely accessible.
Together, these interconnected programs form a robust ecosystem of learning that supports healthier, more connected, and more resilient communities.
Your donation ensureS we can continue offering these programs for hudson valley youth!
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