Programs of Collective Roots

Collective Roots has four main program areas:

• Garden Based Learning
• Youth Development
• Food System Change
• Environmental Action

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Garden-Based Learning

We work with youth and adults to design and sustain organic gardens on school sites that are linked with Kindergarten -12^th grade curriculum provided by Collective Roots. Our curriculum emphasizes project based education that is integrated with the core content areas of schools, and provides linkages to surrounding communities and environments. We currently provide classes Monday – Friday at two K-8^th grade schools in East Palo Alto and are hoping to expand to other sites, including a high school this year. Our educational programs are highly collaborative in nature, and we involve numerous local community organizations and volunteers in classes and events.

Youth Development

Building on horticulture as a basis for developing transferable skills, using the “horticultural model of leadership,” we provide programs and projects designed to engage youth as leaders in addressing problems in their schools and communities. We accomplish this by partnering with local schools, youth and community organizations, faith based groups, and government institutions. We engage students in participatory action research, involving students in analyzing the food system and issues in the environment where they live, and develop the capacity for students to become advocates for social change.

Food System Change

This program area bridges work with students in schools and stakeholders in the community in a full scale food system change initiative. We are starting a community based farmers market in East Palo Alto, a community that hasn’t had a supermarket for over 20 years, in Spring 2008. We are also exploring the development of: a backyard gardener network, outdoor kitchens in school gardens, changing school district food policies, researching and mapping the food system online, and formation of a land trust for preserving a small piece of the rich history in East Palo Alto. All of these efforts involve engaging youth and community members in a collaborative framework, and identifying funding sources and partners.

Environmental Action

This program area involves the exploration and development of science based environmental projects that include habitat preservation and restoration in the Baylands, arboriculture projects, solar and wind energy, and GIS work including online mapping and “geotagging” digital photos. Local partners are interested in the development of an environmental science summer camp for youth in East Palo Alto, based at the East Palo Alto Charter School garden site. This work, like all other areas of our work, is highly collaborative, working with local partners such as Canopy, Environmental Volunteers, and others. These potential areas of program growth all require new sources of funding and support.