Youth Grow

Youth Grow is a program of Growing Gardens that uses a Pre-K–12th grade Youth Grow curriculum to get children out into the garden to learn about nutrition, nature, and the impact of the food system. The program includes growing food in schools, backyards, and correctional facilities, along with hands-on garden training.

• Ages: 4–18 years old

Growing Gardens is a Portland, Oregon based 501(c)3 nonprofit using the experience of growing food in schools, backyards, and correctional facilities to cultivate healthy and equitable communities. Its multilingual programs and services work together to reach Oregon communities most impacted by food system inequity to improve diet and health outcomes, increase fresh food access, enhance culturally nourishing produce options, and cultivate the future generation of food system leaders. Growing Gardens has been making an impact since 1996 and reports 3,000+ home gardens cultivated, 20,000+ students educated, and 1,550+ inmates empowered. The organization’s related programs include the Home Gardens program, which provides individuals and families with training and resources to grow culturally relevant produce gardens, and the Lettuce Grow program, which offers incarcerated individuals hands-on garden training and employment-enhancing certificate programs.

Last updated April 14, 2026.