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# CommunityGrows

Our mission is to cultivate healthy youth through growing gardens in low-income, diverse communities.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.communitygrows.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://www.communitygrows.org/blog-2) - News & Blog
- [Damiana Mocktail Margarita Recipe](https://www.communitygrows.org/damiana-mocktail-margarita-recipe) - Free stock photo of a damiana flower sourced from Pixabay. This recipe is part of our Mocktail Social Events! We invite you to try it at home and share your creation with us by tagging @CommunityGrows on social media.Damiana Mocktail Margarita ReceipeIngredients: 0.5 – 1 oz Damiana Simple Syrup (adjust to your preferred level of sweetness) 1.5
- [Week of 3/9/08](https://www.communitygrows.org/week-of-3908) - This was a great week- we even got a bit of rain to celebrate!On Sunday, Arif and Lindsay came by, and together we all worked on laying the foundation for the new cob herb bed. We are planning on getting a cob workday open to everyone once we work out the details of how to
- [Koshland Garden March Newsletter!](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-garden-march-newsletter) - KOSHLAND GARDEN NEWSLETTERA Project of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood PARKS GroupMARCH 2008 NewsletterCONTENT:1. Community Clean Team Workday, March 8th2. NEW! Regular Wednesday Workdays!3. BEET Rangers Update4. Garden Update: New Herb Garden Coming Soon!5. Spring Garden Tips!———————————————————————–1. COMMUNITY CLEAN TEAM WORKDAYTime: Saturday, March 8th 9AM-12PMPlace: Koshland Park, at the corner of Page and BuchananCome help out
- [2024 Summer BEETs Journal Entry #3](https://www.communitygrows.org/journal-entry-3) - “On Hope” -Kris, 2024 Summer BEETs Intern
- [2024 Summer BEETs Journal Entry #4](https://www.communitygrows.org/journal-entry-4) - “End of an era”, the neighborhood says it’s farewells as Safeway closes in the Fillmore district, leading to conflicts amongst the community, the city, and the Franchise. -Julian, 2024 Summer BEETs Intern
- [2024 Summer BEETs Journal Entry #5](https://www.communitygrows.org/journal-entry-5) - On this cold and cloudy beets morning I noticed some new buds on the tomato plant and a bit of over crowding because the plants have gotten so big.-Mirai Kusi, 2024 Summer BEETs Intern
- [2024 Summer BEETs Journal Entry #2](https://www.communitygrows.org/journal-entry-2) - Week 2 pt. 1 On July 22nd, in the Koshland community garden, BEETs interns researched what crops grow in San Francisco and used them to create recipes that we could potentially grow and cook in our garden. Week 2 pt. 2 HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHERE YOUR WASTEWATER GOES, TOILETS, DRAINS, FLOODWATER, ETC? On
- [Fast Fashion and Thrifting: A Sustainable Approach to Reducing Waste](https://www.communitygrows.org/fastfashionandthrifting) - In an era dominated by fast fashion, the environmental toll of our clothing choices has become increasingly evident. Fast fashion, characterized by the rapid production and consumption of inexpensive clothing, significantly contributes to pollution and waste. However, amidst the detrimental impact of this trend, thrifting and innovative programs like Buffalo Exchange’s “Token for Bags” initiative
- [2024 Summer BEETs Journal Entry #1](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-journal-entry-1) - For the 2024 Summer cohort, our BEETs interns will be partnering with the Communications Team on a weekly project. They will learn about nature journaling and publish their own writings to share their discoveries.For the 2nd week of Beet’s we focused on sustainability and resilience in our community: First, we started with a plant check-in,
- [Preserving Community Access: The Fight to Save Fillmore's Safeway](https://www.communitygrows.org/preserving-community) - For more than four decades, the Safeway market located at 1335 Webster St. has been an indispensable resource for the residents of San Francisco’s Fillmore District. Providing essential services such as prescription fulfillment, banking, and groceries, it has been a linchpin for the community’s well-being. However, on January 4th...
- [Sowing Change: Vanessa's Impact on Youth and Gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/sowing-change) - Vanessa, a passionate advocate for outdoor education and sustainable living, has dedicated her career to teaching youth how to grow and cook their own food. Her journey began in 2015, fueled by a childhood interest that evolved into a lifelong commitment. Vanessa seized the opportunity to channel her enthusiasm into action, embarking on a fulfilling path that has left a lasting impact on the communities she has served.
- [Cultivating Community: Doug's Impact with the Green Team at Rosa Parks Elementary](https://www.communitygrows.org/cultivating-community) - In the heart of San Francisco's Western Addition neighborhood lies a vibrant hub of growth and learning—the Rosa Parks school garden. At the core of its flourishing existence stands the Green Team, a dedicated group of parents committed to nurturing this thriving oasis. Among these passionate individuals is Doug, whose journey with the Green Team over the past three years exemplifies the transformative power of parental involvement.
- [Art with Purpose: Rene's Mural Project for Community Transformation](https://www.communitygrows.org/art-with-purpose-renes-mural-project-for-community-transformation) - In the heart of the East Bay, a vibrant and passionate Guatemalan artist named Rene is making waves with a project that is not only visually stunning but also deeply rooted in social change. Rene's journey as an artist has been a path of self-discovery, community connection, and a commitment to using art as a powerful tool for transformation. In this interview, we sit down with Rene to delve into the story behind their mural project and the impactful messages it conveys.
- [CommunityGrows Board Retreat](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-board-retreat) - On Sunday, March 30, 2014, our CommunityGrows Advisory Board held their annual advisory board retreat at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA in the Marin Headlands within the Golden Gate National Parks. We were thrilled to be offered this space by one of our Advisory Board members, Heather Groninger, who is the Human Resources
- [Let's Talk Trash!](https://www.communitygrows.org/lets-talk-trash) - The BEETS interns (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) hosted special guests from Green Streets last week. Started by one of the residents of a local housing project, Green Streets is an environmental services company that aims to improve their environment and provide local jobs for the community. Teddy, James, and Tyrone walked us through
- [6 Inspiring Women in Science for Women's History Month](https://www.communitygrows.org/women-in-science-2018) - In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to share the stories of some inspiring women whose contributions have advanced the fields of STEM, biology, nutrition, childhood development, and environmental sciences. We applaud their hard work and commitment to bettering both their communities and the world!
- [Looking Back on 2017](https://www.communitygrows.org/annualreport2017) - It's here! We are happy to share with you our 2017 Annual Report and new one-page infographic. Read the highlights or download digital copies.
- [DCYF awards multi-year grant for cultivating healthy youth!](https://www.communitygrows.org/dcyf2018) - We are so grateful and excited to be awarded a 5-year grant from the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families! This substantial grant will support our Seed to Mouth Garden Education Program, which teaches environmental and nutritional education using gardens as classrooms.
- [BEETS Grow in Our Neighborhood](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-grow-in-our-neighborhood) - Spring is in the air and our gardens are flourishing! But the sun isn’t the only reason the gardens are looking so fresh — the BEETS have been out in the gardens planting, watering, weeding, and cleaning to make our spaces healthy and inviting. Volunteer Alana shares about her experience working with the BEETS program this session.
- [Yoga and Salad in the Lower Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/yoga-salad-lower-garden) - A new tradition has begun at Rosa Parks as students join Seed-to-Mouth Garden Educator, Annie, for weekly yoga sessions in the Lower Garden. Students were also treated to an impromptu Salad Day thanks to all of the extra veggies in the gardens. Plus, get a recipe for Four-Ingredient Homemade Croutons!
- [#MLKDay of Service: Honoring Dr. King](https://www.communitygrows.org/mlkday2018) - "Make it a day on, not a day off." This was the rallying phrase as thousands of people across the U.S. turned out on January 15th to celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. On Monday, CommunityGrows joined the AAACC, Citizen Film, and 3.9 Art Collective for our own day of service event with guest speakers, garden projects, and community art.
- [Deck the Halls with Wreaths](https://www.communitygrows.org/deck-the-halls-with-wreaths) - Over the weekend neighbors and friends gathered together for the 14th annual wreath and card making event at the Hayes Valley South Community Room. Beautiful wreaths were created by all, with ribbon, trinkets, glitter, and bells adorning each and every one!
- [Today Is #GivingTuesday](https://www.communitygrows.org/givingtuesday) - We've had the privilege of serving the Western Addition and Hayes Valley neighborhoods for 23 years. Today we ask you to support the right of low-income youth and youth of color in San Francisco to learn from and enjoy the environment!
- [Pumpkin Carving in Buchanan Mall](https://www.communitygrows.org/pumpkin-carving-in-buchanan-mall) - On a Friday in October, youth and adults from nearby housing complexes came out to enjoy the fall weather and carve pumpkins to decorate Buchanan Mall.
- [Salad Days Are Back!](https://www.communitygrows.org/salad-days-are-back) - September is a month of beginnings – the beginning of the school year, the beginning of fall – and at John Muir Elementary School, it marked the beginning of our monthly Salad Days. Since students also participate in our Environmental Education classes, Salad Days allow them to be fully engaged in all the steps of the garden process: planting, cultivating, harvesting, and most importantly, eating!
- [Celebrating 23 Years of CG](https://www.communitygrows.org/celebrating-23-years-of-cg) - Wednesday, October 4 was an amazing night to celebrate 23 years of CommunityGrows and Barbara Wenger's upcoming retirement as founder and Executive Director. Read on to see photos and read about our special event!
- [Workday with Bain & Co. and Gateway High School](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-with-bain-co-and-gateway-high-school) - Volunteers from Bain & Co and Gateway High School joined CommunityGrows for a workday in Koshland Garden headed by Melissa Tang, our new CommunityGrows Director of Programs, and Adrian Almquist, our Garden Programs Manager. This volunteer team worked very well together, accomplishing so many tasks to get our garden in shape for the fall environmental education classes.
- [Western Addition Beacon Afterschool in Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/western-addition-beacon-afterschool-in-koshland-garden) - The after-school class of the Western Addition Beacon kids arrived in Koshland Garden full of enthusiasm to be outdoors. CommunityGrows Gardens Program Manager, Adrian Almquist, corralled the mostly kindergarten and first graders together to start a lesson on the what plants need to survive. Dirt... water... sun... and air.
- [Moving Heaven and EARTH!](https://www.communitygrows.org/moving-heaven-and-earth) - On Saturday, September 9, 2017, CommunityGrows kicked off its partnership with Rosa Parks Elementary by literally moving over 40 cubic feet of beautiful soil into the two school gardens. Parents and students, many from the Green Team of the PTA, began arriving around 10am and pitched in where needed. It was a warm and sunny
- [Night of Fun and Games](https://www.communitygrows.org/night-of-fun-and-games) - Wednesday September 6, 2017, CommunityGrows held its second annual fundraiser at Joey the Cat, an event space and arcade game rental company in the Mission District. The event was sponsored by Kaiser-Permanente and it was a blast! Our wonderful Advisory Board put tons of work into raffle prizes and invited many of their friends. We
- [GAP Workday in Buchanan Mall](https://www.communitygrows.org/gap-workday-buchanan-mall) - On Friday, September 8th, volunteers from GAP joined CommunityGrows in Buchanan Mall and the AAACC to help us get the gardens in shape for the Fall season. We started our afternoon with a visit from two Citizen Film representatives. They shared the story of how the community came together to create, and
- [Saying Farewell to Mr. Jay Jackfruit](https://www.communitygrows.org/saying-farewell-to-mr-jay-jackfruit) - This month we are saying farewell to one of our beloved Garden Educators, Jay “Jackfruit” Jordan. Jay came to CommunityGrows in 2015 as a recent graduate of Northwestern University’s African American Studies program. Since then he has managed four of our community gardens, including the ones at Rosa Parks Elementary School — meaning he did
- [Choose Peace - Stop the Violence](https://www.communitygrows.org/choose-peace-stop-the-violence) - On Saturday, August 26th there were a lot of rallies going on in San Francisco. In fact, two blocks away from our office and Buchanan Mall, thousands of people mobilized around Alamo Square to show their disdain for white supremacy. Months before these rallies developed, our Western Addition community came together to present a Peace
- [CommunityGrows wins Neighborhood Justice Award](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-wins-neighborhood-justice-award) - CommunityGrows has won a $3,000 grant from the District Attorney’s Office Neighborhood Justice Award. The award will help CommunityGrows build neighborhood cohesion, by employing the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) to beautify a community garden at the African American Arts and Culture Complex and maintain Buchanan Mall as a safe space, between
- [Summer Fun: Nutrition & Cooking at the YMCA Hayward Rec](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-fun-nutrition-cooking-at-the-ymca-hayward-rec) - This summer CommunityGrows’ Rec Connect class has met with cooking class coordinator Crystal Leon with a theme of summer simplicity that will also be able to carry students throughout the school year. That theme is: After School Snack. With the goal of putting together a series of lessons that included all recipes that the kids
- [Great GAP Volunteer Day at Rosa Parks Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/great-gap-volunteer-day-at-rosa-parks-garden) - On Friday afternoon August 11, 2017, volunteers from the GAP came out to help us prepare our Rosa Parks Gardens for the upcoming school year. After introductions and tours of the Upper and Lower gardens, two groups worked on watering and breaking up a area for planting. Tilling hoes and shovels did heavy work on the
- [Health Faire at Ella Hill](https://www.communitygrows.org/health-faire-at-ella-hill) - Saturday, August 5, 2017 was an overcast day, but that didn’t stop hundreds of kids and families coming out to the Health Faire at Ella Hill Hutch. The rewards were getting fully-loaded backpacks to start school. Many organizations and health agencies gave these families an opportunity to learn about resources in the community. There was
- [Summer Fun with the Western Addition Beacon](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-fun-with-the-western-addition-beacon) - On Monday, June 26th the Western Addition Beacon Center youth came to Koshland Park for their fun time in the garden. Adrian Almquist, Garden Programs Manager led the class through the cycle of life—from seeds, to plants, to fruits and vegetables. They got to plant fava beans and starts of kale and then watered the garden.
- [National Night Out](https://www.communitygrows.org/national-night-out-3) - On Tuesday night, August 1, 2017 the community came out to celebrate National Night Out. It was a night for politicians, police officers and fire crews to come by and meet the community. CommunityGrows maned a table to show vegetables from the garden, pass out information about upcoming programs and opportunities, and offer fruit skewers with
- [Bees are Buzzin' this Summer!](https://www.communitygrows.org/bees-are-buzzin-this-summer) - On Thursday July 6, 2017 our third summer trip to Green Gulch Farm with two summer partners brought sunshine and adventures! The farm was a-buzz with discoveries about bees and how they help us in the world. In fact, the first stop for these youth from Hayward Rec Connect and Booker T. Washington Community Service
- [Strawberries, Melons and Bananas](https://www.communitygrows.org/strawberries-melons-and-bananas) - On Friday, June 29, 2017 our CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Instructor Crystal Leon, made fruit parfaits with middle schoolers and teens from the Buchanan YMCA. A number of youth got to de-stem and cut strawberries, melons and bananas. Then everyone had a chance to put together their own parfaits with the fruit, yogurt and Cherrios! Delicious.
- [Mastodons at Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/mastodons-at-green-gulch-farm) - On Thursday, June 15, 2017 CommunityGrows arranged to take 40 kids and their mentors to Green Gulch Farm in Marin. It was a beautiful day of learning about meditation and walking through the fields exploring different areas of the farm. Sukey Parmelee, Garden Program Manager, even had her team share a mastodon tooth. Here’s a little
- [Workday with Starbucks!](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-with-starbucks) - Koshland Garden got a spiffing up on Saturday, June 10, 2017 with the help of a great crew from Starbucks. Thanks to CommunityGrows Advisory Board member Jaromy Schmidt, who manages a Starbucks stores in San Francisco, many of his team came out to support us and brought delicious coffee. Adrian Almquist, Garden Programs Manager led
- [Sun and Fun in Buchanan Mall](https://www.communitygrows.org/sun-and-fun-in-buchanan-mall) - What better way to be outside on a beautiful sunny day, than to give back to the community by spiffing up Buchanan Mall. Citizen Film, the Village Project and most of the CommunityGrows staff rolled up their sleeves to plant and mulch this wonderful space, making it even more inviting. This five block area has been
- [Highlighting Advisory Board Member—Catheline Leung](https://www.communitygrows.org/highlighting-advisory-board-member-catheline-leung) - Catheline has been on the Advisory Board since June 2016 and is currently a part of the fundraising committee. She is currently the Director of Customer Success at an advertising technology company called Rocket Fuel. She has been managing media planning and buying across a number of industries including retail, financial services, gaming, technology and
- [After School with Ella Hill](https://www.communitygrows.org/after-school-with-ella-hill) - On Friday May 12, 2017 the afternoon garden program at Ella Hill Hutch got into full swing. Led by CommunityGrows Garden Programs Manager Adrian Almquist, the youth read stories and played some games about fruits and vegetables. Then out to the garden to water and check out how things were growing. Visitors from the Episcopal Impact
- [John Muir Students in Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-students-in-koshland-garden) - On Thursday, May 11, 2017 Koshland Garden was buzzing with Ms. Martin’s first graders from John Muir Elementary School. CommunityGrows Garden Programs Supervisor Paul Bergkamp led them on a lesson about spring, flowers and pollinators. After their discussion, they went off through the garden with paper and pens to draw flowers. It was an opportunity to
- [Cooking at Rosa Parks Senior Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-at-rosa-parks-senior-center) - On Thursday, May 11th CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth cooking instructor Crystal Leon led a cooking demonstration at Rosa Parks Senior Center in Buchanan Mall. This was in partnership with CitizenFilms and took place during the lunch hour. Crystal made zucchini pasta with pesto sauce. Everyone marveled at the machine to crank out the zucchini into long strands
- [BEETS Graduate!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-graduate) - Thursday, May 4, 2017 the Fall-Spring BEETS Cohort graduated. The CommunityGrows staff celebrated the past eight months of their accomplishments with a slide show and BBQ in Koshland Garden. The BEETS program is a stipended, hands-on, outdoor learning experience that provides roughly 20 youth each year with life skills and job-readiness training. The program aims to
- [Work and Health Day at Rosa Parks Elementary](https://www.communitygrows.org/work-and-health-day-at-rosa-parks-elementary) - On Saturday April 29, 2017 Rosa Parks Elementary held a workday in collaboration with CommunityGrows and the Buchanan YMCA Healthy Kids Day. This free event for families and friends-to charge into summer-included a bouncy house along with very helpful and healthy resources.Many families turned out to work in the gardens, getting them ready for summer planting-so
- [BEETS build gardens at Plaza East](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-build-gardens-at-plaza-east) - Our Fall-Spring cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated & Employable Teens) embarked on a special project to improve the backyards of seniors living in Plaza East Apartments. They spent months preparing for the project by learning how to consult with residents, design container gardens and create a garden care guide based on what they
- [Earth Day with International High School](https://www.communitygrows.org/earth-day-with-international-high-school) - On Saturday, April 22, 2017 CommunityGrows celebrated Earth Day with students from International High School in Koshland Garden. It was a great day of weeding, pruning, planting and cleaning up the garden for the summer. We were also happy to have two of our Advisory Board members Sarah Penney and Catheline Leung join us. Paul
- [Kindergarteners Celebrate Earth Day!](https://www.communitygrows.org/kindergarteners-celebrate-earth-day) - On Friday April 21, 2017 the kindergarten class of Rosa Parks Elementary enjoyed a day in the upper garden with CommunityGrows Garden Educator Jay Jordan. Jay has a way of getting everyone engaged in physical activity and working in the garden. He began the lesson by talking about Spring and planting seeds. In their walk through
- [Three Cheers for the Green Team!](https://www.communitygrows.org/three-cheers-green-team) - As the school year comes to a close, we want to share our gratitude and highlight the Rosa Parks Green Team. This group of parents are incredible advocates for CommunityGrows’ programs at Rosa Parks Elementary School. We cannot thank them enough for all of their support and dedication!
- [The BEETS: Not Just Gardeners](https://www.communitygrows.org/the-beets-not-just-gardeners) - In addition to their culinary, resume designing, gardening, and teaching skills, the BEETS added construction to their accomplishments this month!
- [CG Volunteers: Always in Bloom](https://www.communitygrows.org/cg-volunteers-always-in-bloom) - In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to give a shout-out and a thank you to all of the neighbors, partners, businesses, and friends who have supported CommunityGrows this past year.
- [Spring Fundraisers](https://www.communitygrows.org/springfundraisers2018) - Help our youth flourish in the garden this spring! Your spare change, and even part of your dinner bill, can add up to BIG change for kids in the Western Addition.
- [Goodbye to Adrian and Melissa](https://www.communitygrows.org/adrian-melissa-goodbye) - After many years with CommunityGrows, we are saying goodbye to two of our wonderful staff members, Adrian and Melissa. While we are sad to see them go, we are so grateful to them both for all of their hard work and dedication! Read on to learn about their time at CG.
- [Gateway High Service Day in Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/gateway-high-service-day-in-koshland-garden) - On Friday, September 30th, Gateway High School joined CommunityGrows staff Melissa Tang and BEETS intern Ivan Gladamez in Koshland Garden for a volunteer Day of Service. These 15 youth and their Humanities Teacher, Amanda LaBerge, did a lot of weeding, mulching, composting and getting the garden ready for the fall. Great job everyone and thank you
- [Job Opening! Garden Programs Manager](https://www.communitygrows.org/job-opening-garden-programs-manager) - CommunityGrows is hiring a full time Garden Programs Manager. The Garden Programs Manager manages our environmental education program including curriculum develop, staff management, and overseeing the maintenance of the CommunityGrow’s gardens throughout San Francisco. In addition, s/he will teach 6-8 garden-based classes a week and manage our garden workdays. The ideal candidate will have a degree in early
- [Bain & Co. Volunteers](https://www.communitygrows.org/bain-co-volunteers) - A group of great volunteers from the San Francisco office of Bain & Company spent Friday, September 16, 21016 working with CommunityGrows. We met at the African American Arts and Culture Complex (AAACC) garden, where CommunityGrows’ headquarters is located. To start the day, Kelly ErnstFriedman, CG Deputy Director, Melissa Tang, BEETS Program Manager, and BEETS
- [John Muir Loves Salads!](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-loves-salads) - Another great Salad Day at John Muir School, thanks to Kaiser-Permanente and Gus’ Market on Harrison Street. We were honored to get organic greens, fuji apples, carrots, cucumbers and peppers. What a treat! Here are some photos from the day. Enjoy! For more photos see our Flickr Photostream here.
- [BEETS Climbing to New Heights!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-do-the-ropes) - On Saturday October 22, 2016 our new cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent the day at Ft Miley/Lands End in San Francisco doing a ropes course from 9-4 PM. The event was hosted by the Pacific Leadership Institute of the Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Department of San Francisco State University. Our
- [PUC Tours Rosa Parks Watershed Project](https://www.communitygrows.org/puc-tours-rosa-parks-watershed-project) - On a beautiful rainy Saturday, October 29, 2016, the Citizen Advisory Committee of the Public Utilities Commission lead a green infrastructure walking tour to see water catchment sites in the Western Addition neighborhood. Their first stop was Rosa Parks Elementary School, where Kat Sawyer from Touch-the-Sky and Barbara Wenger, CommunityGrows Executive Director greeted them. Kat and
- [Youth Summit at City Slicker Farms in Oakland](https://www.communitygrows.org/youth-summit-at-cityslicker-farms-in-oakland) - On Saturday, October 29, 2016 CommunityGrows hosted the second Bay Area Youth Summit for organizations working on issues of environmental justice at City Slicker Farms. Groups included Literacy for Environmental Justice and Nature’s Voices, as well as the CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). After the great rain the few days before,
- [Joey the Cat Fundraiser](https://www.communitygrows.org/joey-the-cat-fundraiser) - On Wednesday, November 16, 2016 CommunityGrows Advisory Board hosted an evening of fun and games at Joey-the-Cat in the Mission District of San Francisco. Thanks to our sponsors Avila and Associates and Kaiser-Permanente, we enjoyed a great night of skeeball, pinball, hoops, ping-pong, air-ball, and Wack-a-Mole and raised money to support CommunityGrows. We munched on goodies
- [Workday with Avila & Associates and FUF](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-with-avila-and-fuf) - On Saturday November 5, 2016 CommunityGrows held a workday in Koshland Garden to celebrate our partnership with Avila & Associates, and Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF). Avila and Associates provides provides civil engineering, environmental services, and water resources engineering services to public agencies at the federal, state and local level; private property owners; civil
- [Thanksgiving at John Muir Elementary](https://www.communitygrows.org/thanksgiving-at-john-muir-elementary) - On a rainy Saturday, November 19th, 2016 many organizations in the Western Addition came together to offer Thanksgiving to residents and families. The lunch included a program with youth from Handful Players, the Western Addition Beacon, Booker T. Washington Community Center, Hayward Reconnect, and the Buchanan YMCA, as well as the SGI Chorus. Safeway, Bi-Rite Market,
- [Growing Power-Milwaukee](https://www.communitygrows.org/growing-power-milwaukee) - On November 18, 2016 three of our staff members flew to Milwaukee to present at the Growing Power Conference hosted by Will Allen. The theme of the conference was “Let’s Scale It Up! Growing Food and Farmers: Best Practices in Growing, Distribution and Community Building.” This post shares some their reflections. Crystal Jones, Cha’Shay Woldridge
- [Tools for dealing with the  winter blues and SAD](https://www.communitygrows.org/momagic-wellness-meeting) - At the most recent Mo’Magic meeting on December 1, 2016, CommunityGrows co-led a presentation from the Health and Wellness Committee on how to deal with the holiday blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that is brought on by the shorter winter days and onslaught of holiday stress, family pressures, and loneliness this time of year.
- [Wreaths and Cards Start the Holidays!](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreaths-and-cards-start-the-holidays) - On Saturday, December 3, 2016, CommunityGrows held its thirteenth annual Wreath and Card Making event in the Western Addition. This event, which took place at Hayes Valley South Community Room, is a chance for us to thank all our partners and friends for supporting us this year, and helping us cultivate healthy youth by growing
- [Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.](https://www.communitygrows.org/honoring-martin-luther-king-jr) - On Monday January 16, 2017 CommunityGrows joined the African American Arts and Culture Complex (AAACC) to honor Martin Luther King Jr with a presentation and workday in various sites in the Western Addition. Great volunteers joined us from all over the Bay Area, with an especially large contingent from Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. Volunteers
- [BEETS Work at Alemany Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-work-at-alemany-farm) - On Saturday January 21, 2017 The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent the day at Alemany Farm in San Francisco helping out with their workday. They were able with CommunityGrows staff Melissa Tang and Jay Jordan, as well as other volunteers, to plant cabbage and collard greens, flip compost, wood chip muddy areas
- [BEETS Cookin' at AT&T Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-cookin-at-att-garden) - On Tuesday, January 17, 2017 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) enjoyed a cooking day at AT&T Park. The park, home to the San Francisco Giants also hosts a beautiful garden. It is a 4,320-square-foot patch, located just under the scoreboard behind the centerfield wall. Beyond providing a one-of-a-kind food experience within AT&T
- [BEETS join LEJ at Candlestick](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-join-lej-at-candlestick) - On Saturday February 4, 2017 the BEETS visited Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ). LEJ promotes ecological health, environmental stewardship, and community development in Southeast San Francisco by creating urban greening, eco-literacy, community stewardship and workforce development opportunities that directly engage and support local residents in securing a healthier future. Their site is located at Candlestick
- [Yummy Salad Day at Rosa Parks](https://www.communitygrows.org/yummy-salad-day-at-rosa-parks) - On Thursday, February 8th, thanks to a grants from Kaiser-Permanente and Atena Corporation, CommunityGrows was able to partner with the Green Team at Rosa Parks Elementary School to offer a monthly Salad Day. One of the parents on the Green Team, Jocelyn Herndon, was able to secure delicious produce from Whole Foods on California Street
- [Mind, Body and Soul Community Pop Up - Ella Hill Hutch with the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/mind-body-and-soul-community-pop-up-ella-hill-hutch-with-the-beets) - On February 25, 2017 from 11-4 PM the BEETS held court at the Mind, Body and Soul Community Pop Up at Ella Hill Hutch in the Western Addition. The Pop Up utilized a focus on wellness to provide health services that are affordable, accessible, and consistent in the Western Addition. BEETS Michelle. Eluis and Fawaaz
- [BEETS Rough it in the Presidio](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-rough-it-in-the-presidio) - On March 25 and 26, 2017 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) went off camping in the Presidio. After setting up the campsite and Tents, they enjoyed lunch and had a team building activity. In the afternoon they walked down to the Presidio Nursery for a tour and planting activities. One of the
- [Ugly Vegetables!](https://www.communitygrows.org/ugly-vegetables) - “What makes this carrot prettier than that one?” “Believe it or not, this carrot tastes exactly the same as that one!” “That’s a pickle? But why is it so… white?” Oh I get it… It tastes just like a pickle, it’s just an ugly pickle.” As we are fully immersed in San Francisco Fall –
- [Salad Days at John Muir](https://www.communitygrows.org/salad-days-at-john-muir) - Thanks to a grant from Kaiser-Permanente Community Benefit Program, CommunityGrows is able to continue offering Salad Days at John Muir School. With a great donation of organic greens, carrots and cucumbers from Veritable Vegetable. Salad is prepped in the Parents’ Room of the school and taken to the cafeteria at lunch time. We make three
- [The Chickens Have Arrived!](https://www.communitygrows.org/the-chickens-have-arrived) - Saturday, September 10, 2016 was an exciting day at Rosa Parks Elementary. As usual, this workday was a blowout fantastic event with so many families and friends. It was also the exciting arrival of five new chickens for the coop in the upper garden! Scroll down to read more… The Green Team and other parents from
- [A Taste of Summer](https://www.communitygrows.org/a-taste-of-summer) - While we weren’t gone long for summer break at the Edible Schoolyard, we were gone just long enough to come back and be welcomed by a bounty of mature summer crops – cucumbers, lush ears of corn, squash, peppers, as well as multiple varieties of the sweetest cherry tomatoes. So much so, that in the
- [Tabling for SFUSD Science Teachers](https://www.communitygrows.org/tabling-for-sfusd-science-teachers) - On Thursday, August 11th CommunityGrows staff tabled for a lunch-time resource fair at Lincoln High School for San Francisco Unified School District SFUSD science teachers as part of a professional development day. It was a chance for middle and high school science teachers to learn about other resources available to them, and field trips for
- [BEETS Host World Youth at Rosa Parks](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-host-world-youth-at-rosa-parks) - On July 29, 2016 The Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) youth made their second year visit to CommunityGrows as part of their summer site at UC Berkeley. The Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) is a three-week summer service-learning program for outstanding high school students throughout the world who are completing grades 9 through 12. The program combines hands-on
- [Lettuce Turnip For Justice!](https://www.communitygrows.org/lettuce-turnip-for-justice) - Written by Melissa Tang, BEETS Program Manager What exactly is food? If food doesn’t nurture you as a person then it’s really not food. Yet there’s a lot of things being sold in grocery and corner stores that claim to be food but have no nourishment. That’s why the BEETS have been eagerly waiting for
- [Thank you, SFPUC!](https://www.communitygrows.org/thank-you-sfpuc) - The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has partnered with the CommunityGrows for the third year in a row to support our BEETS Program! This year, the PUC is supporting us as we pilot an amazing project with Plaza East Apartments to build patio gardens for the residents and teach them about water conservation. We’re really excited about
- [Cooking with Crystal at Willie Mays Clubhouse](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-with-crystal-at-willie-mays-clubhouse) - “Can you see peace and quiet?” This is the question that was posed by a visiting clubhouse member upon entering the Willie Mays Edible Schoolyard Garden for the first time this July. When new members are welcomed into the garden we try to introduce it to them as a place of safety, a place of
- [Ella Hill Health Faire](https://www.communitygrows.org/ella-hill-health-faire) - On Saturday, August 6, 2016, CommunityGrows staff Jay Jordan and BEET Ivan Galdamez manned a table for the Ella Hill Hutch Health Faire and Backpack Giveaway. Hundreds of families lined up to come into the gymnasium and learn about resources for health. After visiting numerous tables and receiving stickers, they were eligible to receive new backpacks
- [National Night Out](https://www.communitygrows.org/national-night-out-2) - On Tuesday, August 2, 2016 CommunityGrows joined many Western Addition groups to table for the community about their BEETS Program. Kelly ErnstFriedman, our Director of Programs, and Ivan Gladamez, one of our summer BEETS were on hand to answer questions and pass out fall application for the BEETS Program. We got to meet the new Captain
- [CG establishes Work-Site Wellness Policy!](https://www.communitygrows.org/worksite-wellness-policy) - Cultivating health is important not just for the kids and families we serve, but it’s vital for our staff as well. Thanks to support from Kaiser Permanente, CommunityGrows had the wonderful opportunity to work with Tuline Baykal from Bay Area Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative (BANPAC) to create our first official Community Grows Work-Site Wellness Policy!
- [Join the BEETS! Applications now available](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-the-beets-applications-now-available) - We’re now accepting applications for the brand new, expanded BEETS program! From October to May, teens will learn job and life skills as they learn about the environment, teach kids, and positively contribute to their communities! This year we are learning how to build container gardens so youth will gain skills around landscape design, budgeting and project
- [Green Gulch Farm-An Intentional Community](https://www.communitygrows.org/green-gulch-farm-an-intentional-community) - On Thursday, July 21, 2016 CommunityGrows invited three groups-Up on Top, Prince Hall Learning Center and our BEETS-for a final visit to Green Gulch Farm in Marin County this summer. Nestled in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s (GGNRA) Muir Beach watershed, Green Gulch is the perfect adventure for our City kids to explore. Green
- [Youth Summit at Alemany Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/youth-summit-at-alemany-farm) - On Saturday, July 16, 2016 CommunityGrows hosted a youth day for urban agriculture for Bay Area teens at Alemany Farm. These eco-literacy teen groups included Pie Ranch, Friends of the Urban Forest, Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ), Urban Sprouts, and the Cultural Conservancy. They came together to celebrate each other’s work, and discuss their hopes, dreams,
- [BEETS work the Hayward Rec Carnival](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-work-the-hayward-rec-carnival-2) - On Friday, July 15, 2016 CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined other neighborhood partners to celebrate the Hayward Rec Connect Carnival, sponsored by the Buchanan YMCA. Kids got to enjoy being outdoors, dancing, hanging out with friends and also learn about water conservation. They played a game answering questions about why water
- [Cooking in June at Willie Mays](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-in-june-at-willie-mays) - Report by Crystal Jones, CommunityGrows Cooking Coordinator: Summer at the clubhouse has felt much like camp over the past few weeks. Lots of foot traffic around, high energy, and though the days are longer, the assortment of activity has allowed it to feel very fast paced. Amidst the rumble, in the cooking department we’ve been
- [Trips to Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/trips-to-green-gulch-farm) - On June 23rd and July 7th CommunityGrows took their summer partners and youth to Green Gulch Farm. On June 23rd the Village Project and the Buchanan YMCA and on July 7th Hayward Rec Connect and Booker T. Washington youth got to go to Green Gulch thanks to CommunityGrows. Some of the highlights were eating Sorrel
- [Oasis for Girls and Morgan Stanley Join BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/oasis-for-girls-and-morgan-stanley-join-beets) - On Tuesday, June 28, 2016, eleven Oasis for Girls interns invited Morgan Stanley volunteers to a workday at Rosa Parks Elementary School with our CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). Jessica Van Tuyl, Executive Director of Oasis for Girls, and Mallika Roy, ENVISION Coordinator brought the girls and divided them into groups
- [Yosemite-Shelton Johnson-Buffalo Soldiers-BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/yosemite-shelton-johnson-buffalo-soldiers-beets) - The BEETS go to Yosemite and meet Shelton Johnson to learn about the Buffalo Soldiers! Read all about it with a first-hand report from one of our BEETS intern, Ivan Galdamez below: Yosemite BackyardBound camping trip is a memory that will forever be ingrained into my life. The 3-day camping trip was an amazing experience
- [Salad Day at John Muir Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/salad-day-at-john-muir-elementary-school) - Friday, April 29, 2016 was Salad Day at John Muir Elementary School. Thanks to a grant from Kaiser-Permanente, CommunityGrows is able to provide delicious salad for all the students at John Muir. The students and teachers love to partake and come back for seconds. We were very fortunate to have a huge donation from Gus’s Community
- [Cooking Report for May by Crystal Jones](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-report-for-may-by-crystal-jones) - “Why’s it look so weird? It’s fun to harvest because you don’t know what you’re gonna get!” “Yeah, it’s kind of like opening a present…” “Oh my gosh it kind of looks like a hairy creature! Or like an octopus!” When you’re out in the garden, pulling plants out of the ground, I suppose “legs”
- [Stanford University Honors CommunityGrows!](https://www.communitygrows.org/stanford-university-honors-communitygrows) - On Tuesday, June 7, 2016 CommunityGrows staff Barbara Wenger, Melissa Tang and Cha’Shay Woldridge joined Advisory Board members Leah Cerri and Abby Miller at Stanford University to receive a $20,000.00 grant through the University’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. The university offers a class “Theories of Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Nonprofit Sector” taught
- [End of School BBQ](https://www.communitygrows.org/end-of-school-bbq) - On Friday afternoon May 13, 2016 from 4-6 PM students and CommunityGrows partners came out for a great BBQ in Koshland Garden. Teachers from John Muir Elementary School joined parents from Rosa Parks Elementary School, along with Magic Zone and Western Addition Beacon kids for hot dogs, salads, chips, watermelon and cookies to celebrate the end
- [Visiting the Giants Garden!](https://www.communitygrows.org/visiting-the-giants-garden) - Report by Crystal Jones, CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Coordinator. Tuesday May 2nd was a very exciting day for youth in the Seed to Mouth – Edible Schoolyard Program at the Boys and Girls Club. A group from Willie Mays had a chance to invite the Tenderloin Clubhouse to join them on a field trip to the Giant’s
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- [Yale Alumni Rock!](https://www.communitygrows.org/yale-alumni-rock) - We love the rain! Even when there’s a workday in Koshland Park and Garden. On Saturday, May 7th eighteen volunteers from the Yale Alumni group came out to help us spruce up the park and garden. Besides helping Freddie Ealom, our Recreation and Park Garden in the upper park, everyone took on the tasks of composting,
- [Volunteer Spotlight: Matt McWitz](https://www.communitygrows.org/volunteer-spotlight-matt-mcwitz) - Matt started volunteering with our in-school Rosa Parks classes in the fall of 2015. Here’s what he has to say about his experience: “CommunityGrows is teaching the kids a great many things, but I think perhaps one of the most important lessons is that we must respect and love the earth. The kids learn to pay
- [Workday at Koshland Park-Saturday, May 7th, 2016](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-at-koshland-park-saturday-may-7th-2016) - Please join us on Saturday, May 7th from 10-1 PM for a workday in Koshland Park. 5.7.16-Koshland Park Workday by blwenger
- [BEETS and Don Fisher Clubhouse Teens at the Bigger Picture Presentation](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-with-youthspeaks-and-don-fisher-clubhouse-teens) - On Thursday, March 24, 2016 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) met up with youth from the Don Fisher Clubhouse for the Bigger Picture Presentation. The Bigger Picture is a collaboration between Youth Speaks, and the University of California, San Francisco Center for Vulnerable Populations designed to combat the rising epidemic of
- [Crispy Quinoa Patties at Plaza East](https://www.communitygrows.org/crispy-quinoa-patties-at-plaza-east) - On Thursday evening, April 14, 2016 residents and youth of Plaza East cooking class made delicious Crispy Quinoa Patties. Crystal Jones, our CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Coordinator, led the youth in preparing the ingredients and putting the patties together.Another delicious dinner enjoyed by all.Here is the recipe! Crispy Quinoa Patties Ingredients: 2 cups cooked quinoa (can also
- [Van Jones and Shaka Senghor](https://www.communitygrows.org/van-jones-and-shaka-senghor) - On Wednesday evening, April 13, 2016 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) hopped on the Muni bus and rode over to the Castro Theatre to attend an Inforum Presentation, a division of the Commonwealth Club. Thanks to an invitation from a friend of CommunityGrows, the group got to hear Van Jones, President and
- [Kindergartners Learn about Water](https://www.communitygrows.org/kindergartners-learn-about-water) - Steve Herraiz (Mr. Steve) had his class of enthusiastic kindergartners at John Muir Elementary School, walk down to the Koshland Park Community Learning Garden for their morning lesson on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. CommunityGrows Garden Programs Manager Adrian Almquist was excited for the day to talk about water and where it comes from. (Hetch Hetchy!
- [First Graders Learn Honorable Harvest](https://www.communitygrows.org/first-graders-learn-honorable-harvest) - Ms. Erin Miranda’s first grade class had a special day of thanks for the Rosa Parks Garden on Monday, April 11, 2016. It was their last class of the season and they did a labyrinth walk through the beds of spinach, lettuce and chard that they planted thanking the earth for growing and teaching them. CommunityGrows
- [Rain and Three Sisters at Cobb Elementary](https://www.communitygrows.org/rain-and-three-sisters-at-cobb-elementary) - On Saturday, April 9, 2016 the rain was coming down, but that did not deter our CommunityGrows staff Jay Jordan, who was on a mission to get volunteers involved in the garden at Cobb Elementary School. Most of the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) showed up and they were joined by ten
- [Camping with the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/camping-with-the-beets) - Our Spring cohort of BEETS had an overnight camping experience on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27, 2016. The goals of the trip were: to have fun, learn about the environment, learn more about each other, bond together, and try something new. The Presidio shuttle picked up the youth at John Muir School and drove them
- [Seed-to-Mouth Cooking at Willie Mays Clubhouse-March](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-to-mouth-cooking-at-willie-mays-clubhouse-march) - During the month of March 2016 the primary focus for the Seed to Mouth cooking class at Willie Mays was discussing vitamins and their carriers. Relating vitamins and minerals to the food from which they come, touring our very own garden to discuss these matters further, then working together to execute recipes that would offer
- [BEETS visit Don Fisher Clubhouse](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-visit-don-fisher-clubhouse) - On Thursday, March 17th, the Spring BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) visited the Don Fisher Clubhouse. Located on Fulton Street between Gough and Franklin, the new Don Fisher Clubhouse opened in early 2015. It serve nearly 2,000 youth annually, ages 6-18, with an average daily attendance of 190. The Club features a
- [Yummy Greens at Plaza East](https://www.communitygrows.org/yummy-greens-at-plaza-east) - report by Crystal Jones, CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Coordinator In education, holiday calendars can be an excellent tool for planning how to organize ones curriculum, as well as aiding it. This is especially true I feel, when having the privilege of working with food, in that people already associate many holidays with specific food items. When
- [Vision Academy Visits Alemany Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/vision-academy-visits-alemany-farm) - On Wednesday, March 16, 2016, CommunityGrows Gardens Program Manager Adrian Almquist worked with youth from the Vision Academy from the BayView. Here they are weeding chard. They also learned about ecosystems, food webs, predators, prey, decomposers and pollinators. We ate ground cherries, and Swiss chard. Great day in the sun.
- [Advisory Board Retreat at 18 Reasons](https://www.communitygrows.org/advisory-board-retreat-at-18-reasons) - On March 12, 2016 our CommunityGrows Advisory Board met for a day long retreat at 18 Reasons.The retreat was facilitated by Francis Thompkins of TogetherBrave. Frances helped to orient the day, lead exercises, provided transitions, check-ins and facilitated Committee conversations, tying it all together at the end of the day. Much of the morning was
- [Lunch with Alice and Will](https://www.communitygrows.org/lunch-with-alice-and-will) - On March 8, 2016, CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist, Garden Programs Manager, and Crystal Jones, Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Coordinator had lunch with Alice Waters and Will Allen at the Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley, CA. Here is Crystal’s report: “There are very rare opportunities where one gets to gather among a couple of their heroes, in a room
- [CommunityGrows Joins Board Match](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-joins-board-match) - On Wednesday evening, March 3, 2016 the Union Square Hilton was buzzing with potential Board candidates who can to talk with over 100 non-profits. This event was sponsored by the Volunteer Center. CommunityGrows Advisory Board members Jaromy Schmidt, Leah Cerri and Meredith Pavia, along with Development consultant Cheryl Clarke helped to anchor the table, and
- [Classes at Alemany Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/great-start-at-alemany-farm) - Wednesday, March 2, 2016 CommunityGrows started teaching classes at Alemany Farm thanks to a grant from Aetna Foundation Local Roots Program. Judy Jue and David Banks brought their youth from Vision Academy to tour the farm. They were able to taste mint and sample nectar from pineapple sage flowers, smell geraniums and rosemary. Adrian Almquist, CommunityGrows Garden Programs
- [Afterschool with Rosa Park ExCEL](https://www.communitygrows.org/afterschool-with-rosa-park-excel) - On February 29, 2016 Tierra Morgan, assistant with the after-school Rosa Parks ExCEL group from the Buchanan YMCA, brought her youth to Rosa Parks Garden for their weekly after-school garden class. CommunityGrows Assistant Garden Educator Cha’Shay Woldridge started the class by talking about the stages of development from seed to flower, and pollination. Two of our
- [Cooking at Willie Mays](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-at-willie-mays) - by Crystal Jones, CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Programs Manager During the month of February we had several exciting program meetings with youth Willie Mays Club members in the Seed to Mouth cooking class, lead by CommunityGrows Cooking Programs Manager Crystal Jones. We started the month off by covering the rules of knife safety, then applied those rules
- [Cooking at Hayward Rec Connect in February](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-at-hayward-rec-connect-in-february) - This past February CommunityGrows staff and the afternoon Buchanan YMCA youth were cooking up a storm at Hayward Rec Connect thanks to a grant from Aetna and Kaiser-Permanente Foundations. In one class we made veggie burritos and fruit and yogurt parfait. During this afternoon, we were joined by Talia Matau, one of our BEETS interns who
- [Cooking at Plaza East in February](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-at-plaza-east-in-february) - Plaza East cooking on Thursday nights has been going well, especially with the addition of our new Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Manager Crystal Jones, and our two CommunityGrows volunteers, Jean Wang and Alana Herro. The small (under 20 individuals) crowd is growing with youth and their families joining the mix. One dad actually came by himself to
- [Food Justice, Oakland Style with the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/food-justice-oakland-style-with-the-beets) - On February 20, 2016, the Spring cohort of the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) headed across the Bay to meet with cooperative workers, entrepreneurs, farmers, and activists to learn more about what community members are doing to bring healthy food to others. Six years ago the Food Cooperative, which is owned and run
- [John Muir Students Origami and Photsynthesis](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-students-origami-and-photsynthesis) - On Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Mr. Tamsky’s 4th grade bi-lingual Spanish class at John Muir Elementary School came to Koshland Park for their afternoon lesson. Adrian Almquist, CommunityGrows’ Garden Programs Manager began to cover two difficult lessons—tackling photosynthesis and learning how to make origami cranes. In an effort to understand photosynthesis, Adrian reminded the youth that photosynthesis
- [Environmental Literacy Reports: LEAP, ChangeScale and the Environmental Literacy Blueprint.](https://www.communitygrows.org/environmental-literacy-reports-leap-change-scale-and-the-environmental-literacy-blueprint) - From 2013-2015, CommunityGrows participated with 17 Bay Area youth leadership and environmental stewardship organizations, all grantees with the S.D. Bechel Jr. Fund, under the consultation of LFA (Learning for Action) and the LEAPS (Leadership and Evaluation to Advance Programs Success) for Environmental Literacy Initiative. As a result of this work three cluster studies were generated
- [Plaza East Health Faire](https://www.communitygrows.org/plaza-east-health-faire) - On Saturday, January 30, 2016 our CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Coordinator, Crystal Jones join the Plaza East Apartments Health Faire outside their Community Room and had this to report: Saturday’s demo at Plaza East went great. It was really nice to be able to familiarize myself with some of the residents and meet parents of a few of the students
- [Parents at Rosa Parks are Awesome!](https://www.communitygrows.org/parents-at-rosa-parks-are-awesome) - On Wednesday, February 2, 2016 parents came together to prepare for a monthly Salad Day at Rosa Parks Elementary. Many of the parents are part of the Green Team that helps us raise money for CommunityGrows garden educators at Rosa Parks. They devote their mornings once a month to gathering produce (some from the Rosa
- [Spring 2016 BEETS Begins!](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-2016-beets-begins) - On Tuesday, February 2, 2016 our Spring BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) began their training at John Muir Elementary School and the Koshland Park Community Learning Garden. In the group were four “returners”: Mia Manalo, Jennifer Nazara, Charome Thomas and Adrian Valencia. Joining them are Ronnie Allen, Gene Chu, Gonzalo Duque, Alejandro
- [Tortilla Epanola and Arepas at Willie Mays Clubhouse](https://www.communitygrows.org/tortilla-epanola-and-arepas-at-willie-mays-clubhouse) - Crystal Jones, our new Seed-tp-Mouth Cooking Coordinator is already making a big impact at Willie Mays Clubhouse in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. Here is Crystal’s report: The teens enjoyed making the Torilla Epanola recipe very much last week. So much so that they ended up making another so everyone could have seconds, after they all finished off
- [Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service](https://www.communitygrows.org/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service-2) - On Monday, January 18, 2016 over 90 volunteers came out to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. This event was sponsored by the African American Arts and Culture Center (AAACC) and CommunityGrows. Volunteers began arriving at 8:30 AM on a morning reprieved from the wonderful rain we’ve been having in the Bay Area.
- [Buchanan Mall-Mayor's Day of Service](https://www.communitygrows.org/buchanan-mall-mayors-day-of-service) - On a rainy Saturday, January 9, 2016, CommunityGrows joined Buchanan Mall partners, Green Streets, Citizen Film and Mo’Magic to clean, green, serve and beautify San Francisco. Many volunteers throughout the City came to Ella Hill Hutch at 9:00 AM, donned yellow rain gear, and helped plant a tree in the front of Ella Hill Hutch
- [Wreath and Card Making Fun](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreath-and-card-making-fun-2) - On Saturday afternoon, December 12, 2015 CommunityGrows hosted our 13th annual Wreath and Card Making event. Held at the Hayes Valley South Community Room, it attracted many residents, families and youth from the community. The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) helped out getting everyone started with frames, boughs, and trinkets. There was warm
- [Winter Carnival at the African American Arts & Culture Complex](https://www.communitygrows.org/winter-carnival-at-the-african-american-arts-culture-complex) - On Saturday, December 12, 2015, the African American Arts & Culture Complex held it’s 15th Winter Carnival. While Santa met youth inside the Complex with toy giveaways, and food, carnival and fun games prevailed in the parking lot. There were performances by Project Level, Village Dancers, Talent Allstars, PUSH Dance Company, Larkin Bukido Karate, Capoeira Angola,the
- [Applications now available for Spring 2016 BEETS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/applications-now-available-for-spring-2016-beets) - Are you 15-19 years old, want to work outdoors,work with kids, learn new job skills AND get paid to be in the beautiful sunshine? The BEETS program is hiring for spring interns! In t his paid internship you will learn how to grow healthy food, meet new friends, teach kids, and make a difference in
- [Join us for the Holidays!](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-us-for-the-holidays) - This is a wonderful holiday tradition with CommunityGrows and all our partners. Please stop by the Hayes Valley South Community Room, at 403 Rose Street (near Buchanan Street) from 1-4 PM on Saturday, December 12th to enjoy refreshments and create a wreath and some cards for the holidays. Boughs of evergreens, frames, and trinkets will
- [Thanksgiving at John Muir Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/thanksgiving-at-john-muir-elementary-school) - The Western Addition Beacon Center at John Muir Elementary School presented their 12th Annual Giving Voice to the Season Thanksgiving Luncheon on Saturday November 21, 2015. CommunityGrows staff and BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) helped to make the day a success. Families and friends were greeted in the auditorium, transformed to beautiful
- [Creating a Grateful Bowl at Willie Mays Clubhouse](https://www.communitygrows.org/creating-a-grateful-bowl-at-willie-mays-clubhouse) - Friday, November 20th the youth at Willie Mays Clubhouse made a Grateful Bowl recipe by Crystal Jones, inspired by Café Gratitude. Crystal mentioned that “the idea behind the grateful bowl is to have one dish that is not only satisfying, but is affordable and also meets every nutritional need. The grateful bowl should always contain
- [Chef Chauncy at Hayward Rec Connect](https://www.communitygrows.org/chef-chauncy-at-hayward-rec-connect) - Hayward Rec Connect and the Buchanan YMCA kids were abuzz on Monday, November 16, 2015 with excitement to cook with Chef Chauncy Yarngo. Chauncy Yarngo is from the Kpella tribe in Liberia who came to America at a younger age and has become a professional chef in the United States. Chef Chauncy currently works part
- [Cooking at Willie Mays Clubhouse](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-at-willie-mays-clubhouse) - On Thursday, November 12, 2015 we did our first cooking class at Willie Mays Clubhouse at Hunters Point. It was an honor to work in this kitchen, which is part of the first Edible Schoolyard Project built in San Francisco by Alice Waters in June 2008. CommunityGrows will be offering cooking and gardening classes in
- [Buchanan Mall Celebration](https://www.communitygrows.org/buchanan-mall-celebration) - On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, November 7, 2015 the community came out to celebrate all their hard work on the Buchanan Mall. The Buchanan Mall Community worked closely with the partners—Green Streets and Citizen Film, The Trust for Public Land, S.F. Recreation and Parks Department, and Exploratorium—to imagine, design, and build new site improvements on Buchanan
- [Koshland Workday with Global Gourmet](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-workday-with-global-gourmet) - On Saturday, November 7th Global Gourmet volunteers joined our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) and other volunteers for a workday in Koshland Garden. Global Gourmet Catering provides inspired menus with restaurant caliber cuisine, impeccable service and trend-setting design. Focused on organic and local ingredients, they are proud to be the first Bay
- [Harvest Celebration](https://www.communitygrows.org/harvest-celebration) - CommunityGrows Advisory Board and Staff culminated many months of hard work and planning into a wonderful Harvest Festival at Stern Grove Trocadero Clubhouse on Thursday evening, November 5, 2015. Located in a redwood grove with trails, meadows, ponds, and eucalyptus trees all around, the Clubhouse was a beautiful setting. It gave a rustic feeling to
- [Planting at Buchanan Mall](https://www.communitygrows.org/planting-at-buchanan-mall) - On Thursday afternoon, October 22, 2015 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined partners CitizenFilm, GreenStreets and the Exploratorium to plant hearty succulents and drought-resisted natives along Buchanan Mall. This effort is a reactivation of an area once blighted by crime and neglect. Walking through the area, which covers Buchanan Street between Turk
- [Greenhouse Celebration Workday at Rosa Parks](https://www.communitygrows.org/greenhouse-celebration-workday-at-rosa-parks) - On Saturday, October 17, 2015 Rosa Parks Elementary School family and friends came together for a workday and BBQ to celebrate the completion of their new greenhouse in the Upper Garden! This greenhouse was made possible with a Community Challenge-PUC Urban Watershed Stewardship Grant. The goal of this project was to build a greenhouse and
- [Three Sisters Harvest at Indian Valley](https://www.communitygrows.org/three-sisters-harvest-at-indian-valley) - On Indigenous Peoples Day, Monday, October 12, 2015, the BEETS traveled out to Indian Valley Organic Farm in Novato, CA to work and join the Three Sisters Harvest Celebration. The Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden (IVOF&G) was founded in 2008 as a direct response to a call from the Marin Agricultural Summit to establish
- [Medicinal Plants at New Liberation Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/medicinal-plants-at-new-liberation-garden) - On Thursday, October 8th the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) made a visit to New Liberation Garden to learn about medicinal plants. They were joined by USF volunteer Isabella Neterval and community leader Majeid Crawford who offered a discussion on the history of the neighborhood, how the Fillmore became known as Harlem
- [John Muir Salad Days are here again!](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-salad-days-are-here-again) - With a grant from Kaiser-Permanente we are honored to offer Salad Days again this year at John Muir Elementary School. CommunityGrows staff Melissa Tang and Cha’Shay Woldridge joined Advisory Board member Casey Johnson in the morning Friday, October 2nd, 2015 to cut and peel organic vegetables, donated by Veritable Vegetable. Carrots from Something Good Organics were
- [Buchanan Mall Activation with the BEETS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/buchanan-mall-activation-with-the-beets) - The CommunityGrows Fall BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent Thursday October 1, 2015 working with Green Streets, Citizen Film and other partners to paint troughs which will hold plantings along Buchanan Mall in San Francisco. This project is part of a Buchanan Mall Activation Project which has brought together many neighborhood elders,
- [We're at the Edible Schoolyard at Hunters Point!](https://www.communitygrows.org/were-at-the-edible-schoolyard-at-hunters-point) - Thanks to a grant from the Department of Children, Youth and their Families (DCYF), CommunityGrows is honored to be working at the Edible Schoolyard at Hunters Point at the Willie Mays Clubhouse. We started teaching garden classes on September 3rd once a week, and soon we hope to be cooking there with produce from the
- [Salad Day and Gardening at Rosa Parks](https://www.communitygrows.org/salad-day-and-gardening-at-rosa-parks) - On September 2, 2015 Rosa Parks Elementary kicked off their school year with a planting in the garden and a salad day in the cafeteria. New CommunityGrows Garden Assistant Cha’Shay Woldridge, with the assistance of Garden Program Manager Adrian Almquist, helped Ms. Wong’s class get started weeding and planting in their plot in the lower
- [We're hiring a Seed to Mouth Coordinator!](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-to-mouth-coordinator) - We are seeking a motivated and dedicated individual to manage our Seed to Mouth cooking program, which includes teaching 4-5 cooking classes a week and coordinating programming at multiple sites. In addition, the staff member would occasionally assist garden workdays and attend staff trainings and meetings as needed. The ideal candidate will have a degree
- [Staff Presents at ChangeScale](https://www.communitygrows.org/staff-presents-at-changescale) - CommunityGrows staff Kelly ErnstFriedman, Melissa Tang and Cha’Shay Woldridge presented with Julia Hatton from Rising Sun Energy Center spoke at the ChangeScale August 2015 Convening: Creating a Culture of Equity and Inclusion. They reported on their work with other Bay Area organizations that made up a LEAPS (Leadership and Evaluation to Advance Program Success) cohort,
- [Get 10% off sporting goods and support our youth!](https://www.communitygrows.org/get-10-off-sporting-goods-and-support-our-youth) - Join us at Sports Basement (1590 Bryant Street) for a fundraiser for CommunityGrows on Thursday, September 24th! Do you need some new camping gear? Are your running shoes worn out? Come by, say hello, and load up on active wear and outdoor gear, all at a discount! The discount and donations run all day, but
- [Vote for CommunityGrows Video!](https://www.communitygrows.org/vote-for-communitygrows-video) - CommunityGrows entered their video in a Retale Community Garden Video Contest sponsored by Echo-Reducing Hunger, Improving Lives Worldwide. Please go on-line and vote for us here. We would receive $2500 towards our garden program! The contest picked ten gardens throughout the USA to choose from, and we think ours is pretty good! You can vote
- [Health Faire at Ella Hill Hutch](https://www.communitygrows.org/health-faire-at-ella-hill-hutch) - CommunityGrows joined over fifty partners on Saturday, August 8, 2015 to promote health in the Western Addition community. It was a day when families and youth could learn about services available to them—from CPR demonstrations, blood pressure checks, dental assessments, support programs for school placement, counseling, and other important information about transportation, community events and
- [Summer 2015 BEETS Graduation](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-2015-beets-graduation) - On Thursday, August 4, 2015 twelve teens from our CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) program had a graduation ceremony at Hayes Valley Apartments Community Room. Teens Adrian Castano-Romero, Vinh Houng, Sola Yamamoto, Meena Khan, Caelan Chen, Carlos Cruz, Amanda Jack, Charome Thomas, Monique Adams, Venyse Sims, Greshell Mendoza and Ivan Galdamez
- [National Night Out](https://www.communitygrows.org/national-night-out) - On Tuesday, August 4, 2015 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) worked a table at National Night Out at Ella Hill Hutch on the Buchanan Mall. It was a sunny afternoon that brought out lots of neighbors, community organizations and City departments to celebrate the commitment we all have to improving our
- [Workday with LEJ and Girls 2000](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-with-lej-and-girls-2000) - On Saturday, July 25, 2015 the CommunityGrows BEETS(Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) hosted a workday in Koshland Park and Garden. Two other teen groups from the BayView joined them, Literacy for Environmental Justice and Girls 2000. After a warm-up getting to know you activity, our BEETS let a tour through the garden, pointing
- [Quiche at Plaza East](https://www.communitygrows.org/quiche-at-plaza-east) - On Thursday, July 23rd, youth from Plaza East put together two beautiful quiches with the help of CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist and volunteer, soon-to-be staff, Jay Jordan. Everyone was excited to work with Jay and pitched in to de-stem kale, chop onions and crack eggs. Each youth got a chance to do all the steps
- [Applications now available for fall BEETS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/applications-now-available-for-fall-beets) - Are you 15-19 years old, want to learn more about how fresh food, herbs and plants can lead to a healthier body and community, AND get paid to be in the beautiful sunshine? We’re now accepting applications for the Fall 2015 BEETS cohort! This fall we’ll continue to learn about food justice with a special focus
- [Water Conservation Day in Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/water-conservation-day-in-koshland-park) - On Tuesday, July 14, 201, thanks to a grant from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) hosted the Western Addition Beacon youth for an afternoon of Water Conservation Fun! Over 100 youth were given a water conservation name badges that stickers were added to as they
- [Hayward Rec Carnival with the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/hayward-rec-carnival-with-the-beets) - On Friday July 10, 2015 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) took their water conservation summer theme to the Hayward Rec Carnival in San Francisco. Thanks to a grant from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the BEET have been studying water conservation, especially in the Bay Area where there is a
- [Buchanan Y and Prince Hall Summer Fun](https://www.communitygrows.org/buchanan-y-and-prince-hall-summer-fun) - On Thursday, July 9th the Buchanan YMCA classes was busy in the Rosa Parks Upper Garden with Ms. Serena Squash. After taking roll, the class talked about what plants need to survive. They talked about how sunlight is absorbed through the plants leaves, and water is taken into the plant by being absorbed by its
- [Buchanan Mall Activation!](https://www.communitygrows.org/buchanan-mall-activation) - We are honored to be included as partners with neighborhood residents, Green Streets and the Exploratorium to reactivate Buchanan Mall. This narrow park is 6 blocks long on Buchanan Street in the Western Addition, between Grove and Eddy. Right now many housing development butt up against it, as well as the Rosa Parks Senior Center, the
- [New Liberation Garden with Booker T. Washington youth](https://www.communitygrows.org/new-liberation-garden-with-booker-t-washington-youth) - On Thursday, July 9, 2015 CommunityGrows staff member Serena Padilla lead an afternoon class of Booker T. Washington youth at New Liberation Garden. After reading roll-call and the garden rules, Serena quizzed the class on the different parts of the plant. Then they all got a chance to transpose tomato plants throughout the garden. At the
- [Green Gulch Farm with Up-on-Top and BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/green-gulch-farm-with-up-on-top-and-beets) - On Tuesday June 23, 2015 CommunityGrows staff took a bus-load of youth from Up on Top organization and the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) to Green Gulch Farm for the day. Under sunny skies and after name tags, check-ins and a visit to the temple, the groups split up to enjoy the farm.
- [Planting Kale and Chard with Western Addition Beacon](https://www.communitygrows.org/planting-kale-and-chard-with-western-addition-beacon) - Friday afternoon, June 26, 2015 the Western Addition Beacon youth came for a summer science lesson in the Koshland Garden. The first group was soon-to-be kindergardeners, and the second group, soon-to-be first graders. It is always especially fun to work with these age groups because they are new to the garden and just as energetic
- [Pizza at Plaza East](https://www.communitygrows.org/pizza-at-plaza-east) - On Thursday evening, June 25, 2015 CommunityGrows held their second cooking event at Plaza East Apartments in San Francisco. We had a large crowd of youth and families who helped to make delicious pizzas from scratch! We made our own dough and cut up mushrooms, peppers, and zucchini, and added kale and spinach from the food
- [Koshland Park and Garden Workday-7/25/15](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-workday-72515) - Please join us for a invigorating workday outside in the Koshland Park and Garden on Saturday, July 25, 2015 from 11-2 PM. Our CommunityGrows staff and the summer BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and employable Teens) will be joined by two other teen groups: Literacy for Environmental Justice and Girls-2000 of the Hunters Point Family.
- [BEETS Camping in the Presidio](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-camping-in-the-presidio) - On Tuesday and Wednesday, June 16-17, the summer cohort of BEETS when over night camping in the Presidio at Rob Hill Campground. In the afternoon they took a hike to the Presidio Nursery, and met with three park leaders, Desmond Murray, Nursery Community Coordinator, and Danielle Jolette and Hillary Kato, full-time interns in the program.
- [Summer Cooking at Hayes Valley Apartments](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-cooking-at-hayes-valley-apartments-2) - Thanks in part to support from Aetna Foundation and a Community Benefit Grant from Kaiser-Permanente, CommunityGrows held its first of six Seed-to-Mouth cooking classes at Hayes Valley Apartments on Friday June 12, 2015. Ziek McCarter, CommunityGrows Garden Assistant led the class of youth from the neighborhood and the Western Addition Beacon Center. Ziek started the class quietly getting
- [Plaza East Cooking](https://www.communitygrows.org/plaza-east-cooking) - On Thursday evening June 11, 2014, Plaza East Apartments hosted CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Cooking program for resident families and youth. Thanks to a grant from Supervisor London Breed, through the Department of Children, Youth and Families, CommunityGrows is able to offer six nights of cooking from 5:30-7:30 PM through August. The dates are June 11th and
- [Great BBQ with Bibimbap!](https://www.communitygrows.org/great-bbq-with-bibimbap) - Yes, it was cold (50 degrees!), and overcast, yet who can keep us away from a BBQ? On Friday afternoon May 29, 2015, CommunityGrows held its summer kick-off BBQ in Koshland Garden to celebrate the end of the school year and all our great partnerships. We were honored to have the Bibimbap Backbackers here, a group
- [Come to our BBQ!](https://www.communitygrows.org/come-to-our-bbq) - On Friday, May 29th from 4-6 PM we will be having a BBQ in Koshland Park to celebrate the end of the school year, the beginning of summer, great partnerships, great kids and great staff members. Please let us know by May 25th if you can attend, especially if you’re bringing groups of kids, so
- [We're hiring!](https://www.communitygrows.org/were-hiring) - CommunityGrows is hiring a full time Garden Educator & Site Manager! The Garden Educator & Site Manager manages the in-school environmental education program at one of our primary Western Addition sites and is responsible for teaching and planning 8-10 one-hour garden and/or nutrition education classes a week. As Site Manager, s/he will be responsible for
- [Greenhouse Deconstruction and Workday at Rosa Parks!](https://www.communitygrows.org/greenhouse-deconstruction-and-workday-at-rosa-parks) - On Saturday, May 16, 2015 over 50 volunteers came together to disassemble an old greenhouse at Rosa Parks Elementary School, to make way for a new one later this year. We are excited to be building a new structure in compliance with the San Francisco Unified School District, thanks to a Community Challenge Grant for
- [Rosa Parks Talent Show Shines!](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-talent-show-shines) - On Friday night, May 15, 2015 Rosa Parks Elementary School hosted a Talent Show for the CommunityGrows Garden Program. It was a smashing event featuring some amazing talent from students K-5th Grade, and was highlighted with the Con Brio Band headed by our own Ezekiel McCarter, Rosa Parks Assistant Garden Educator. Check out the video
- [Big Weekend Coming Up at Rosa Parks!](https://www.communitygrows.org/big-weekend-coming-up-at-rosa-parks) - On Friday, May 15, 2015 there will be a student talent show and fundraiser for the Garden Program, highlighting the amazing Rosa Parks students. It will also feature our CommunityGrows Assistant Garden Educator, Ezekiel McCarter and his bank Con Brio.. If you’d like to donate to the Rosa Parks program or purchase advance tickets, please click
- [Spring Rolls Made Easy!](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-rolls-made-easy) - On Thursday, April 23,2015 our Spring Cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) learned how to make Spring Rolls. BEETS Program Manager, Melissa Tang lead them through the steps after much prepping of ingredients. Here’s the recipe for your enjoyment: Ingredients 6 spring roll wrapper (rice paper) 2 cups thin noodles, pre-cooked
- [William Cobb Elementary School Garden Workday](https://www.communitygrows.org/william-cobb-elementary-school-garden-workday) - Under a beautiful blue sky with billowing cumulus clouds, great volunteers came out to help with a workday at Dr. William L. Cobb Elementary School’s garden on Saturday, April 11, 2015. A wonderful group of teens from University High School, joined families and staff from the Western Addition Family Resource Center and the YMCA to help
- [First Salad Day at John Muir Elementary School!](https://www.communitygrows.org/first-salad-day-at-john-muir-elementary-school) - On Tuesday, April 7, 2015 we celebrated the first ever Salad Day at John Muir Elementary School. Thanks to a grant from Kaiser-Permanente and a generous donation from Bi-Rite Grocery, CommunityGrows staff was able to serve up a delicious salad that so many K-5th graders enjoyed! The morning began with preparations in the third floor
- [Exploring Food Justice with the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/exploring-food-justice-with-the-beets) - On March 24th and April 7, 2015 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) offered up presentations on Food Justice. Working in teams of two, the teens researched and prepared presentations on themes such as farming and agriculture, nutrition and health issues related to access to healthy foods, labor and pesticides, food corporations,
- [Now accepting applications for SUMMER BEETS!!](https://www.communitygrows.org/now-accepting-applications-for-summer-beets) - Are you, or someone you know, 15-19 years old and looking for an awesome way to spend your summer AND get paid? We’re now accepting applications for the Summer 2015 BEETS cohort! This summer our focus is on water conservation and teens will learn how to plant and maintain water-wise gardens while also gaining valuable leadership
- [Join us for a Cobb Workday this Saturday April 11th](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-us-for-a-cobb-workday-this-saturday-april-11th) - Looking for an opportunity to spend some time in the sunshine AND support ecoliteracy and environmental education for Western Addition Youth this weekend? You’ve come to the right place! Join us this Saturday, April 11th from 11-2pm at William Cobb Elementary (2725 California St, San Francisco CA 94115). Light snacks and juice will be provided.
- [BEETS and Board to Bi-Rite](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-and-board-to-bi-rite) - On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, four of our Spring BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens), Cesar Martinez, Clarisse Peterson, Elilita Geletu and Vincente Rivera got a private tour of Bi-Rite Grocery on 18th Street in San Francisco. Shakirah Simley, CommunityGrows Advisory Board Chair and Bi-Rite’s Community Outreach Coordinator led the tour. Two more
- [Science Night at Rosa Parks Elementary](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-at-science-fair-rosa-parks) - On Friday evening, March 20, 2015 the Rosa Parks Elementary School Auditorium was filled with excitement as crowds of parents and friends got to view a wide range of science projects done by the students. The evening began with classroom of students working a science challenge in real time with parents watching patiently as the teacher
- [BEETS Caretake Koshland Park and Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-caretake-koshland-park-and-garden) - On Saturday, March 15, 2015 many of the Spring BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) turned out to care for Koshland Park and Garden. The first part of the day the teens worked with Recreation and Park Head Gardener, Freddie Ealom, to clear an area of the park of invasive grasses. At the
- [BEETS Tour Maxine Hall Health Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-tour-maxine-hall-health-center) - On Thursday, March 12, 2015 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) toured the Maxine Hall Health Center in the heart of the Western Addition. They were greeted by Touré Clark, the Coordinator for Interns and Volunteers at the Center. His lively and engaging personality held the teens’ attention for the entire afternoon.
- [Making Healthy Ranch Dressing!](https://www.communitygrows.org/making-healthy-ranch-dressing) - On Thursday, March 12, 2015 the after-school youth at Hayward Rec Connect in San Francisco made healthy ranch dressing and cut carrots, broccoli, and celery to enjoy it with. As you can see everyone did enjoy eating their vegetables! Here’s the recipe: Ranch Dressing Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream 1-1/2 teaspoon
- [MagicZone and Decomposers!](https://www.communitygrows.org/magiczone-and-decomposers) - On Wednesday, March 11, 2015 our after-school youth from MagicZone came to Koshland Park for a lesson in decomposers. A decomposer is part of the food chain. When something dies, like a plant or an animal, a decomposer breaks down dead plants and animals. Decomposers turn dead material into good fertilized soil. Worms are decomposers.
- [BEETS join LEJ at Candlestick Point Restoration](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-join-lej-at-candlestick-park-restoration) - On Saturday, March 7, 2015 The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) took a trip to the South East corner of San Francisco to join LEJ (Literacy for Environmental Justice) teens and staff for a day of gardening and habitat restoration at Candlestick Point State Park. Most of us had never been to
- [BEETS at Heart of the City Farmers' Market](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-at-the-civic-center-farmers-market) - On Wednesday, March 5, 2015 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent the afternoon in the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market in Civic Center San Francisco. This site is a frequent visit for our CommunityGrows youth. It is an opportunity to see the farmers who sell here and run the market,
- [Workday in Koshland Park and Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-in-koshland-park-and-garden) - Join us on Saturday, March 14, 2015 for a workday in Koshland Park and Garden from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We will be weeding, planting, sweeping, pruning, picking up trash, and making the park and garden shine. See below for further information in English and Spanish. Hope to see you there! Flyer 3.14.15 Workday
- [Carrot Muffins in the Afternoon](https://www.communitygrows.org/carrot-muffins-in-the-afternoon) - On February 23, 2015 our after-school program at Hayward Rec Center made carrot muffins. As usual, we began our class with reading the rules and washing our hands. We went through the ingredients and everyone got a chance to find out where they came from: vanilla from a flower, cinnamon from a bark, ginger from a
- [BEETS go to Pie Ranch!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-go-to-pie-ranch) - On Thursday, February 19, 2015 our Spring BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) took a trip to Pie Ranch is Pescadero, California. Here are some notes from the day, written by Melissa Tang, our CommunityGrows BEETS Program Manager: “I liked eating pie and learning about the different processes used in the farm!” –
- [Banana Splits](https://www.communitygrows.org/banana-splits) - On February 16, 2015 the youth at Hayward Rec Connect after-school program in San Francisco made banana splits. CommunityGrows staff was joined by Nora Brereton, former Director of Programs, who stopped in to say “hello”. After cutting their bananas, the youth chose what they wanted on their splits: Greek yogurt, raspberries, peanut butter, shredded coconut,
- [Greenhouse Coming at Rosa Parks Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/greenhouse-coming-at-rosa-parks-elementary-school) - Thanks to a grant from the PUC-Urban Watershed Stewardship Program and the Community Challenge Grant Program, Rosa Park Elementary School will be getting a greenhouse! The process of removing an unsafe structure and replacing it with a beautiful greenhouse will begin in April. This grant to CommunityGrows allows us to work with school stakeholders and
- [Haiku with Rosa Parks ExCEL and the SF Foundation](https://www.communitygrows.org/haiku-with-rosa-parks-excel-and-the-sf-foundation) - On February 9, 2015 the Rosa Parks ExCEL afterschool program got a visit from the San Francisco Foundation Environmental Initiative, lead by Francesca Vietor, Becky Weinberg and Tracy Zhu. Serena Padilla, our Garden Educator, led the class through a lesson about haikus, poetry, and other stories. They youth wrote about what they were grateful for
- [Celebrating our Partnership with Kaiser-Permanente](https://www.communitygrows.org/celebrating-our-partnership-with-kaiser-permanente) - On Thursday, February 5th CommunityGrows was honored to join other 2015 Kaiser-Permanente-San Francisco Community Benefit Grantees for a social gathering with hospital leaders, physicians, and managers. The grantees in attendance represented three priority health needs identified in the latest Kaiser-Permanente Community Health Needs Assessment: to increase access to high quality health care and services, to
- [Martin Luther King Day Huge Success!](https://www.communitygrows.org/martin-luther-king-day-huge-success) - On Monday, January 19, 2015 many groups and organizations came out to support Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. CommunityGrows had two sites where many volunteers participated, the Daniel E. Koshland Community Learning Garden, and the African American Arts and Culture Complex. Thank you Judith Keenan for taking some amazing photographs! At Koshland Park,
- [Application for BEETS-January 2015 EXTENDED!!](https://www.communitygrows.org/application-for-beets-january-2015) - Applications for our Spring 2015 BEETS Program are available now and the due date has been extended to January 19th at 1 pm! Here are the flyers (in English and Spanish), followed by the application. Please scroll down for all documents: BEETS Spring 2015 Extension Flyer by blwenger BEETS Spring 2015 Extension Flyer ESPANOL by blwenger
- [Great Turnout for BEETS Graduation](https://www.communitygrows.org/great-turnout-for-beets-graduation) - On a rainy night, Tuesday, December 16th the Fall cohort of BEETS graduated at the Hayes Valley Apartments Community Room. Many family and friends were in attendance, including members of Green Streets [a group of housing development residents and entrepreneurs who have created jobs and established recycling in the distressed San Francisco housing projects where
- [MLK Day of Service-January 19, 2015](https://www.communitygrows.org/mlk-day-of-service-january-19-2015) - Join us Monday, January 19, 2015 for the Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service. We will be working in the Koshland Park and Garden. For more information, see the flyer below. Hope to see you there! 1.19.15 Mlk Kp Wkday by blwenger MLK Flyer_Spanish Version by blwenger
- [Wreath and Card Making Fun!](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreath-and-card-making-fun) - On Saturday, December 6, 2014 a great turnout of the community with families and youth made our Wreath and Card Making event an overwhelming success. Our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) engaged everyone arriving, showing them how to make wreaths for the first time. With so many great trinkets and baubles, ribbons,
- [Thanksgiving with the Community](https://www.communitygrows.org/thanksgiving-with-the-community) - On Saturday, November 22, 2014 the Western Addition Beacon Center at John Muir Elementary School hosted the 11th Annual Giving Voice to the Season Thanksgiving Luncheon. CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist and Barbara Wenger joined three of our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) to volunteer at the event. Other volunteers included teens from
- [Great Workday with Redwood Trust & Sherwood Design Engineers](https://www.communitygrows.org/great-workday-with-redwood-trust-sherwood-design-engineers) - On Saturday, November 14th CommunityGrows hosted the Redwood Trust and Sherwood Design Engineers for a workday in Koshland Park. It was a really fun, laid back event with volunteers from these companies and our BEETS and CommunityGrows staff. We weeded the gardens, harvested cilantro and sun chokes, cleaned along the fence perimeter and the sidewalk,
- [Join Us for a Wreath and Card Making Event](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-us-for-a-wreath-and-card-making-event) - On Saturday, December 6th from 1-4 PM we will be making holiday wreaths and cards to take home and enjoy. Please check out our flyer below for more details. Hope to see you there! 12.6.14 Wreath Making Event-CommunityGrows by Barbara Wenger
- [Growing Power Conference-Milwaukee](https://www.communitygrows.org/growing-power-conference-milwaukee) - On November 7-9, 2014 Adrian Almquist, our CommunityGrows Garden Programs Manager, attended the Growing Power Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The theme was Urban and Small Farms Conference: Building a Fair Food Economy to Grow Healthy People. The intent of this national and international conference was to share ideas and inspire others to find ways to create sustainable
- [Fun Evening at Greens Restaurant](https://www.communitygrows.org/fun-evening-at-greens-restaurant) - On Wednesday night, November 5, 2014, CommunityGrows hosted their first fundraiser at Greens Restaurant in Ft Mason. Photos in this blog and on our CommunityGrows Flickr Photostream were taken by Judith Keenan, a long-time CommunityGrows supporter. Thank you Judith! Our CommunityGrows Advisory Board did a great job recruiting their friends and family to attend and
- [Garden Workday with Redwood Trust](https://www.communitygrows.org/garden-workday-with-redwood-trust) - Join us Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 11-2 PM in Koshland Garden for a garden workday. This event will be sponsored by Redwood Trust. Redwood Trust has been a partner of CommunityGrows for three years. They are a specialty finance company focused on investing in mortgage – and other real estate – related assets and
- [Magic Zone in Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/magic-zone-in-koshland-garden) - On Wednesday, October 22, 2014 Magic Zone youth joined us for their weekly afternoon class in Koshland Garden. After settling in our garden circle and doing a short quiet meditation, Janine Gee, one of our long standing volunteers at CommunityGrows read a story entitled Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell and Lizzy Rockwell. Angie Lemus,
- [Corn Chowder— Delicious!](https://www.communitygrows.org/corn-chowder-delicious) - On Monday, October 20, 2014, the CommunityGrows after-school Seed to Mouth Cooking Program at Hayward Rec Center in San Francisco, made delicious Corn Chowder! The youth very industriously got down to chopping a variety of vegetables including celery, leeks, carrots, potatoes and shaving corn off the cob. Assisting CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist and Adrian Gaino,
- [Treasure Island Job Corp Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/treasure-island-job-corp-garden) - On Monday, October 13, 2014 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) when across the Bay to visit the Treasure Island Job Corp Farm. This urban farm was designed in conjunction with the Treasure Island Job Corps to support their culinary arts program. This design was a collaborative design with Architecture for Humanity
- [Pumpkin Muffins!](https://www.communitygrows.org/pumpkin-muffins) - On Monday, October 6, 2014 the Hayward Rec Center on Laguna Street in San Francisco made delicious Pumpkin Muffins! As part of our CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Program on Monday afternoons, the youth spent the time reading the recipe, figuring out the measurements and putting them together for a delicious treat! Here is the recipe: Pumpkin Muffins
- [BEETS Run the Carnival at Rosa Parks BBQ](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-run-the-carnival-at-rosa-parks-bbq) - Our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) helped out on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the Rosa Parks Elementary School’s Annual BBQ. CommunityGrows staff Serena Padilla, Garden Educator, and Miya Yung, BEETS Program Assistant supported the BEETS throughout the day. The event was to raise funding for the PTA and the Green Team
- [Join our Raffle and/or Dinner at Greens](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-our-raffle-andor-dinner-at-greens) - Join CommunityGrows in celebrating 20 years of cultivating healthy youth through growing gardens in low-income, diverse communities! On Wednesday, November 5, 2014, we’ll host our 1st Annual Harvest Dinner – an exclusive, intimate meal at one of San Francisco’s iconic restaurants, Greens at Fort Mason. Our Harvest Dinner kicks off our fall fundraising efforts –
- [Welcome New CommunityGrows Staff!](https://www.communitygrows.org/welcome-new-communitygrows-staff) - We would like to welcome two great staff members to CommunityGrows. Serena Padilla, our new Garden Educator, works primarily at Rosa Parks Elementary School. She graduated in 2011 from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Latin American and Latino/a studies with a minor in Education. She won us over with her
- [BEETS Workday at the AAACC](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-workday-at-the-aaacc) - On Saturday, September 27, 2014 the Fall cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent a few hour renovating and revitalizing the African American Arts and Culture Complex garden on the border of their parking lot. A beautiful day to clean up debris and plant many beautiful drought resistant flowers. Such a
- [Great Workday in Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/great-workday-in-koshland-garden) - On Saturday, September 20, 2014 CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist, Serena Padilla, Miya Yung, Kelly ErnstFriedman and Barbara Wenger, were joined by our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens), and another great group of youth from International High School for a workday in Koshland Garden. A number of terrific community volunteers joined us as
- [Fall BEETS Cohort Begins](https://www.communitygrows.org/fall-beet-cohort-begins) - On Thursday, September 18, 2014 the fall cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) began. The new group consists of six returning BEETS: Angie Lemus, Claudia Williams, Ivan Galdamez, Jahnae Stanford, Kenya Mack and Kyle Patterson. New BEETS are Anthony Hernandez, Aylin Soria, Chrislyn Earle, Misael Perez, Thnah (Jimmy) Tang and Vicente
- [Salad Day at Rosa Parks!](https://www.communitygrows.org/salad-day-at-rosa-parks) - On Wednesday, September 17, 2014 Rosa Parks Elementary School began another year of Salad Days with students at the school. This day starts with gleaning the garden and adding produce to donations from Whole Foods to make up many deep serving pans of salads. Parents from the PTA and Green Team (that works with CommunityGrows
- [Rosa Parks Workday with CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-workday-with-communitygrows) - On Saturday, September 13, 2014 a great workday was held at Rosa Parks Elementary School to prepare the two gardens for fall classes. Rosa Parks parents, Principal Paul Jacobsen, the PTA and the Green Team joined CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist, Kelly ErnstFriedman, Ezekiel McCarter, Barbara Wenger and Serena Padilla to do over fifteen projects around
- [Expanding our Advisory Board](https://www.communitygrows.org/expanding-our-advisory-board) - CommunityGrows welcomes six new Advisory Board members to our program. They are Sherry Bijan, Leah Cerri, Arif Husain, Casey Johnson, Carmen Olmetti and Meredith Pavia. They join our other Advisory Board members Rebekah Black, Jennie Carpenter, Barb Fujimoto, Will Newsom, Jaromy Schmidt and Shakirah Simley. We had our first monthly meeting in the Board Room
- [Black Community Heroes](https://www.communitygrows.org/elementor-18937) - Celebrating Black Visionaries In community we can create what’s bigger and more beautiful than ourselves as individuals. With this in mind, we are partnered with 20 schools and community centers across San Francisco. Together, we have grown countless amounts of plants, sparked curiosity and confidence within our youth, fed hungry bellies with nutritious food, and
- [Breaking News: Kids actually love salad!](https://www.communitygrows.org/kidslovesalad) - This December, Salad Day has made a comeback into the gardens at Rosa Parks Elementary and for the first time ever at Leonard Flynn Elementary in San Francisco. Vegetables that were planted by students in the beginning of the school year were used in combination with other organic seasonal fruits and vegetables to create a
- [Starting a Garden at the Hayward Recreation Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/starting-a-garden-at-the-hayward-recreation-center) - On Wednesday, April 13, 2010 we began a nine-week program to create a garden at Hayward Recreation Center through a partnership with the Buchanan YMCA, across the street from Plaza East housing on Laguna St near Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco. Youth designed the layout of the garden, what was to be planted, and
- [Support CommunityGrows Today!](https://www.communitygrows.org/support-communitygrows) - Your contribution to CommunityGrows is greatly appreciated! You can make your donation at the Tides Center Donation page. Please select CommunityGrows from the list of projects on the donation page. CommunityGrows is fiscally sponsored by the Tides Center, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the nation’s largest fiscal sponsor.
- [Harvesting Favas with the Beacon Kids](https://www.communitygrows.org/harvesting-favas-beacon-kids) - Today first and second graders from the after-school Western Addition Beacon Center worked in Koshland Garden harvesting FAVA BEANS! Favas, really part of the pea family, are very nutritious and have many health benefits. They are especially high in fiber and iron and low in sodium. They even contain L-dopa, which is used as a
- [April Workday a Great Success!](https://www.communitygrows.org/april-workday-a-great-success) - On Saturday, April 17, 2010 we had a workday in Koshland Park and Garden, sponsored by Kaiser-Permanente. Twenty-two neighborhood friends came out to help us move woodchips, prune tree wells, sift compost, building planter aisles and spruce up the park and garden. Thank you to the great volunteers and Kaiser-Permanente! “Volunteers are not paid –
- [New Garden at Rosa Parks Elementary School!](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-garden) - On April 21, 2010 Nora Brereton and Barbara Wenger, both staff of CommunityGrows, met with Rosa Parks Elementary School Garden Team to discuss starting a new garden on the school site. What a beautiful school with lots of space. We met the school nutritionist, Louise Hjortenfalk, PTA President, Lora Hirschberg, and parent Barbara Fujimoto to
- [Partnership with STARBUCKS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/partnership-with-starbucks) - Building upon its long-term commitment to community involvement, Starbucks Coffee Company recently awarded more than $1 million in Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants in the U.S. The company’s goal is to engage 50,000 young people to innovate and take action in their communities by 2015. CommunityGrows was selected as a grant recipient in order
- [Summer Volunteers and Teen Interns-2010!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-volunteers-and-teen-interns-2010) - Thanks to incredible volunteers and teen interns, our summer program at CommunityGrows was a smashing success! We could never have served over 300 youth from thirteen organizations without you! Thanks to Adrian Gaino, Ariel Miller, Stephanie Geballe, Beth Sachnoff, Veronica Nommensen, Braegen Carroll, and Gloria Lee. Our summer youth interns, Quincey Martin and Auriana Mixon
- [Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Classes-Summer 2010](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-to-mouth-cooking-classes-summer-2010) - Veggie Stir-fry, Mexican Salsa, Sushi, Bowtie Pasta, Spring rolls, and Baked potatoes! Every Wednesday in July from 3-5 PM, a culinary theme was chosen and three dishes made. Twenty to thirty youth, parents, and volunteers came together to harvest, prepare, and serve delicious, nutritious and healthy meals which we sat down and enjoyed together.Each week
- [District 5 Clean Up](https://www.communitygrows.org/district-5-clean-up) - August and September Events: District 5 Clean Up in Koshland Park on August 8, 2009 with Ashley Young, Camilla Dawkins, Soumeya Kerrar, Corrine Law, and Tammia Hubbard. Camilla is the Liaison to our community from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, and Tammia was an intern in that office this summer. Ashley and Soumeya are
- [Harvest Festival!](https://www.communitygrows.org/harvest-festival) - Harvest Festival this year was a great success, all planned and run by the BEET Rangers! In the morning, the BEET Rangers helped move mulch and compost, take out and harvest winter squash, and prepped beds to plant carrot and radishes for the fall. We harvested some cute little winter squashies to decorate for halloween!We
- [BEET Rangers Job Search](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-rangers-job-search) - Today with the BEET Rangers we made a trip to Safe Haven, a community space in the Hayes Valley South residence. Safe Haven is an after-school drop in spot for youth in the neighborhood to come do homework, hang out, be with friends. They let us use their computers to work on resumes and job
- [Permaculture in the Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/permaculture-in-the-garden) - This week in the garden, Katie taught a lesson on Permaculture. Katie had just completed an Urban Permaculture course, where she got to learn a lot of amazing things about design and modeling agriculture systems to be most efficient and supporting of their environment. Today Katie shared with a us a lesson on Patterns in
- [Helping in the Neighborhood](https://www.communitygrows.org/helping-in-the-neighborhood) - Today we focused our activities on participating in community events in the Western Addition. Summer is a great time of year for getting together with neighbors, the sunny days and local events bring everyone out to enjoy the parks and community centers.In the morning we went to Patricia’s Green to help out at their volunteer
- [BEET Rangers at Breaking Ground Conference!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-rangers-at-breaking-ground-conference) - The BEET Rangers were honored to be invited to participate in the Green Jobs Now national day of action at the Breaking Ground Conference for youthhosted by San Francisco Parks Trust. We were invited to participate in two different workshops: a Green Jobs panel, and a workshop on container gardening. Two of the BEETRangers, Jessica
- [SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER!](https://www.communitygrows.org/september-newsletter) - KOSHLAND GARDEN NEWSLETTERA Project of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group September 2008 Newsletter Content:1. Koshland Garden Makeover!2. BEET Rangers at Slow Food Nation3. Garden Workparty- September 13th4. Vote for Koshland Garden as SF’s most beautiful garden!5. See Us On The News!———————————————————————–1. Koshland Garden Makeover!Wow! Things have really changed fast in the garden, and it is
- [LetUsGrow Camp Graduation](https://www.communitygrows.org/letusgrow-camp-graduation) - Our little campers have graduated! It has been such a fun summer, filled with adventure. We will remember with fondness our trips to Alemany Farm, the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market, Book Reading with Mo’ Magic, composting at Garden for the Environment and many breakfasts at Kate’s Kitchen, thanks so much!!! It has been a great summer,
- [Koshland Garden Makeover in Progress!!!](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-garden-makeover-in-progress) - Koshland Garden has a brand new kiosk and shed this month! We are super excited about how things are shaping up, and look forward to more changes soon, including a picnic table, and a reshaping of the lower John Muir Elementary School learning garden. Yahoo! For feedback, questions, or to sign up to be on the waitlist
- [Meet the BEET Ranger Youth Educators!](https://www.communitygrows.org/meet-the-beet-ranger-youth-educators) - Meet the wonderful BEET Ranger Youth Educators! Below we have Arif Husain and Katherine Walsh. To the side, hiding behind BEET Ranger Calvin Yu, we have Ami Puri, helping to create a bean trellis out of woodscraps and wire. This team has been essential to making the BEET Ranger experience fun, educational, and engaging. They
- [Seed to Mouth 6/25/08](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-to-mouth-62508) - Yum! Today was stir fry and noodles day. It was a big hit! And luckily we made a lot of food, because at 5pm, the room was packed with 20 hungry youth, all looking forward to the meal cooked by their friends. Everyone liked what we made, and broccoli was popular! Always a great thing
- [Seed to Mouth 6/18/08](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-to-mouth-61808) - Today we had a fabulous cooking class making tortillas from scratch, heaped with delicious pinto beans, rice, and fresh-made salsa and guacamole! The youth also made a yummy salad harvested from the garden, so the tacos were full of healthy goodness. Everyone had a great time being in charge of their own element of the
- [Last Day in the Garden! (for now)](https://www.communitygrows.org/last-day-in-the-garden-for-now) - Today we did a trivia review game to look back at everything we learned, and each youth had great things to share based on the knowledge they gained. Time has been well spent in the garden! This summer we will be embarking on longer trips with workshops in different areas of green jobs, so we will
- [BEET Rangers Garden Maintenance class](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-rangers-garden-maintenance-class) - Naz, Candy, and Rashida are hard at work, taking care of their garden beds!Today the BEET Rangers learned all the necessary skills for General Garden Maintenance, including: Pruning, Watering, Weeding, Mulching, Cultivating, and Integrated Pest Management! Katie Walsh led our lesson on Integrated Pest Management, and Arif Husain filled us in on the dangers of
- [Join us for Spring Festival!](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-us-for-spring-festival) - Spring Garden Festival—Saturday, May 17th Location: Koshland Park at the corner of Page and Buchanan It’s Spring Festival this month! Come join in the fun!10AM to 1PM Workparty! Come help us weed, plant, and clean up Koshland Park and Garden!1PM to 4PM Celebrate our hard work in the afternoon with music, kids activities, and a
- [BEET Rangers in the Marin Headlands](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-rangers-in-the-marin-headlands) - The Steepest Trail of the Day!Today was awesome! We went for a hike in the Marin Headlands with Mike Yoshioka, of Hostel Adventures. Mike talked to us about what it takes to become a naturalist and outdoor educator, leading people on interactive hikes.The day started out with a discussion on environmental ethics, and how to
- [We are Chrissy Field Heroes!](https://www.communitygrows.org/we-are-chrissy-field-heroes) - Our own Barbara Wenger of Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group has won!2008 Crissy Field Center Community Heroes AwardThe Crissy Field Center, an urban environmental center, announces The Community Heroes Award. This award honors the accomplishments, challenges and successes of community members who work tirelessly to preserve, protect, and raise awareness about our environment.The Center’s Community
- [May Newsletter!](https://www.communitygrows.org/may-newsletter) - KOSHLAND GARDEN NEWSLETTER A Project of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks GroupMay 2008 Newsletter Content:1. Koshland Garden in Bloom!2. BEET Rangers Hard at Work3. Spring Festival – May 17th!4. New Native Plant Garden!5. Upcoming Summer Programs———————————————————————– 1. Koshland Garden in BloomThe Garden got a bit of a makeover this past weekend, thanks to Rebuilding Together,
- [Rebuilding Together was a great success!](https://www.communitygrows.org/rebuilding-together-was-a-great-success) - Rebuilding Together made our dreams come true! It was really spectacular. We were able to do a lot of great work both in Koshland Garden and John Muir Elementary. All the volunteers were so great and helpful, their hard work makes such a difference, and is so appreciated!Here are some of the highlights that we
- [BEET Rangers and IYEL](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-rangers-and-iyel) - Sebron Brown and his new friend from Tree Frog TreksToday the BEET Rangers went to visit the Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL) program at the Chrissy Field Center. It was also the annual Earth Stroll earth-day celebration event at the Center, so we got the chance to participate in a lot of festivities.Some of the
- [BEET Rangers has begun!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-rangers-has-begun) - Krystal Curtis, Candy Williams, and Calvin Yu get into the compost!The BEET Ranger green job training internship has begun! We have 14 inspiring and wonderful youth working with us at Koshland Garden. The youth will be participating in workshops and activities with different green businesses and youth environmental education programs throughout San Francisco and the
- [April Newsletter!](https://www.communitygrows.org/april-newsletter) - KOSHLAND GARDEN NEWSLETTER A Project of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks GroupAPRIL 2008 Newsletter Content: 1. Spring in the Garden 2. BEET Ranger Green Job Training Program Update 3. Mark Your Calendars for our Spring Festival – May 17th! 4. Rebuilding Together San Francisco coming to Koshland Garden and John Muir Elementary School 5. Sharing
- [Gardeners for Peace!](https://www.communitygrows.org/gardeners-for-peace) - Please speak out on Wednesday, March 19th- the 5 year marker of the U. S. Invasions of Iraq and AfghanistanNo More War! Let’s plant the Seeds of Peace together!Today in the garden we talked about how each of us can bring Peace to the world. Our personal choices and actions make a difference, and when
- [Post- March 8th](https://www.communitygrows.org/post-march-8th) - More Like A Work Party! What fun! Thanks to the help of many fabulous folks from One Brickthe park looks fantastic! The giant, never-ending pile of mulch is finally gone- it was a day to celebrate. The morning was full of high-energy weeding, and we pulled out all the tools to tackle the task before
- [February Work Party!](https://www.communitygrows.org/february-work-party) - Thanks to all of our awesome volunteers who came out to make the garden shine on February 9th! We did a lot of much needed weeding, dug around in the compost, planted and mulched.All of this hard work makes a huge difference in the health and beauty of the garden, making it more enjoyable for
- [March Workparty!](https://www.communitygrows.org/march-workparty) - One Brick and SF Rec and Park made a great impact on our park and garden today. We were able to finally weed and mulch the tree wells on the South end of Page Street, which looks incredible now. For a while it was looking pretty desolate down there!There was a lot of great enthusiasm
- [March 8th     Community Clean Team Work Day in the Garden!](https://www.communitygrows.org/march-8th-community-clean-team-work-day-in-the-garden) - COMMUNITY CLEAN TEAM WORKDAY Time: Saturday, March 8th 9AM-12PMPlace: Koshland Park, at the corner of Page and Buchanan Come help out at Koshland Garden and Park on Saturday, March 8th!We will be mulching, weeding, snacking, harvesting and more!This event is part of Community Clean Team, and we will be joined inthe garden by Street Parks
- [Koshland Garden Work Day 2/10!](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-garden-work-day-210) - Today was a fabulous day- the skies were blue and the weather was lovely! A bunch of folks made it out to the garden today to help out- community gardeners, students from John Muir Elementary, Everett Middle School, neighbors and our fabulous new Garden for the Environment volunteers, Katie and Lisa! We did a whole
- [Gonzo Burgers!](https://www.communitygrows.org/gonzo-burgers) - Gonzo BurgersIngredients:2 1/2 cups garbanzo bean sprouts (or canned)4 large eggsgrated zest of one large lemon1/2 teaspoon fine salt1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro1 onion chopped1 cup toasted breadcrumbs1 cup other sprouts (optional)1 tablespoon olive oilSteps:1. If using garbanzo bean sprouts, steam them until just tender, about 10 minutes. If using canned garbanzos, drain them before
- [Home Made Pasta or Ravioli](https://www.communitygrows.org/home-made-pasta-or-ravioli) - Home Made Pasta or RavioliMakes 8 oz. of dough, enough for 4-5 nice sized ravioliIngredients:1 Tablespoon Olive Oil1 cup flour1 egg3-4 teaspoons waterMix the flour and olive oil in a bowl or a mixer for one minute.Whisk the egg in a separate bowl until it is no longer lumpy.While stirring the flour oil mixture, slowly
- [Making Holiday Wreaths](https://www.communitygrows.org/making-holiday-wreaths) - We had a lovely time last weekend making wreaths and cards for the holidays. We gathered in the community room at Hayes Valley South with the support of the Community Partners United. Students from John Muir Elementary and youth in the neighborhood came together to decorate holiday cards and make their own wreaths out of
- [Harvest Festival](https://www.communitygrows.org/harvest-festival-2) - Today was a blast! Despite the cold and gray weather, tons of volunteers came out to help us plant over 500 flower bulbs that will bloom and bring color to the park this spring! Thank you to Helping Hands, the French International School, community gardeners, neighbors, and John Muir Elementary School students for all their
- [A Few More Harvest Fest Moments](https://www.communitygrows.org/a-few-more-harvest-fest-moments-2) - They are so great we had to do two posts!The musicians are from Ledbetter, one of the bands that performed at Harvest Fest.The students danced to their own music after the bands, they LOVE to dance.The DiFrancesco family came out to help, representing the French International School.After all the hard work, everyone went inside the
- [Concert in Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/concert-in-koshland-park) - On October 7th folks gathered in the park for a Sunday evening of fabulous music! The event started off with Anna, Nora and Tobi, a trio of drums, harp and guitar.Shake Your Peace! rocked next, followed by Lily Idalia of the band Light Leaks, and ending the evening was Treasure Nest playing experimental jazz music.
- [Staff Update!](https://www.communitygrows.org/staff-update) - Koshland Garden is kept lively by the work of 3 staff, hundreds of enthusiastic John Muir Elementary students, over 50 dedicated community gardeners, the oh so very many generous and appreciated volunteers who share their time with us, and all our visitors and community members who come by to say hello and give the garden
- [Highlighting Ezekiel McCarter-Our Garden Assistant!](https://www.communitygrows.org/highlighting-ezekiel-mccarter-our-garden-assistant) - We would like to introduce Ezekiel (Ziek) McCarter, who has been working at CommunityGrows since August 2012. He is our Rosa Parks Elementary School Garden Assistant. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays you will often find him tending the lower garden and assisting teachers and students with their classroom plots. Ziek came to us for our BEETS
- [Touring the PUC Building](https://www.communitygrows.org/touring-the-puc-building) - On July 9, 2014 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens), a green-jobs training program of CommunityGrows, began their summer cohort with a tour of the Public Utilities Commission building on 525 Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco. Thanks to a grant from the San Francisco PUC for summer learning opportunities, these teens
- [Teaching Water Conservation at Hayward Carnival](https://www.communitygrows.org/teaching-water-conservation-at-hayward-carnival) - On Friday, June 11th the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) used their summer water conservation training to pay it forward to the youth in the Western Addition. The summer cohort of BEETS is focusing on water conservation thanks to a grant from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The BEETS had
- [Studying Watersheds in the Gulch](https://www.communitygrows.org/studying-watersheds-in-the-gulch) - On Tuesday, July 15, 2014 CommunityGrows staff took two summer partner groups to Green Gulch Farm. The Western Addition Beacon and the Buchanan YMCA. Our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined them for a day in the country. While the two partner groups got a great tour of the farm, fields, composts
- [Dirty Water comes Clean!](https://www.communitygrows.org/dirty-water-comes-clean) - Have you ever wondered what happens to the dirty water from your shower, laundry and toilet after it goes down the drain? What about the runoff from lawns and gardens, and rainwater and car washing? On Friday, July 18, 2014 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) found out on a trip to
- [BEETS Breakout with Water Lesson Plan](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-break-out-with-water-lesson-plan) - On Saturday, July 17, 2014, the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) got together at the upper garden of Rosa Parks Elementary School to practice their K-5th grade lesson plans for water conservation. The BEETS learn about environmental education topics and help teach with our staff the younger youth in our CommunityGrows programs.
- [Summer Salsa and Kale Chips-Um Mmm](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-salsa-and-kale-chips-um-mmm) - On Tuesday, July 22, 2014 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent the afternoon in the Hayes Valley Apartments’ Community Room preparing salsa and kale chips. Yet another cooking event that was so easy to do and so healthy. For the kale chips, everyone de-stemmed and rendered the kale into bite-size pieces.
- [We love Bi-Rite Grocery!](https://www.communitygrows.org/we-love-bi-rite-grocery) - On Wednesday, July 23, 2014 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) had a wonderful visit to Bi-Rite Grocery on 18th Street. This is our second visit to Bi-Rite for the BEETS, who went last year with a different cohort (see blog post from that event here). It was a new group of
- [Meet-and-Greet Advisory Board Candidates](https://www.communitygrows.org/meet-and-greet-advisory-board-candidates) - On Saturday, July 26, 2014 CommunityGrows Advisory Board invited candidates they’ve been vetting to a Meet-and Greet event in Koshland Garden. It was a great day getting to know fantastic candidates who came to us through recommendations and through Linked-In Board Connect. Barbara Wenger, Executive Director and Kelly ErnstFriedman, Director of Programs joined three of
- [Summer Fun Harvesting Potatoes!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-fun-harvesting-potatoes) - by Adrian Almquist, CommunityGrows Garden Programs Manager Photo by Donn DeAngelo On Tuesday, July 29, 2014, CommunityGrows took youth from the African American Arts and Culture Complex, the Village Project, and Prince Hall Learning Center out to Green Gulch Farm in Marin. We parked at Muir Beach and walked a mile or so up the
- [Summer 2014 BEETS Graduate!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-2014-beets-graduate) - On Thursday, August 7, 2014 the Summer 2014 BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) had a graduation ceremony at Hayes Valley Apartments Community Room in San Francisco. Parents, friends and former BEETS alumni came out to enjoy the festivities. All summer long the BEETS explored the importance of water conservation by visiting farms, wastewater
- [Recruiting Teens 15-19 for Fall BEETS Program](https://www.communitygrows.org/recruiting-teens-15-19-for-fall-beets-program) - CommunityGrows is recruiting twelve youth ages 15-19 years old to join our Fall BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) Program, starting September 18th and running through December 11, 2014. These youth gain experience developing job skills, learning garden maintenance and attending field trips throughout the Bay Area. Each intern earns approximately $800, depending
- [September Workday in Koshland Park and Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/september-workday-in-koshland-park-and-garden) - Please join us for a workday in Koshland Park and Garden on Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Check out the details below. 9.20.14 KP Workday Flyer by Barbara Wenger
- [CommunityGrows Shares Computers with Hayes Valley](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-shares-computers-with-hayes-valley) - Come join us on Saturday, August 16th from 1-3 PM at the grand opening of the Hayes Valley Youth Center Computer Lab. See details below. Computer Lab Opening Flyer by Barbara Wenger
- [National Night Out with CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/national-night-out-with-communitygrows) - On Tuesday August 5, 2015 CommunityGrows and the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) participated in the Western Addition National Night Out at Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. The BEETS offered residents and the community opportunities to learn more about water and water conservation. They also got the chance to talk with the
- [SF Chefs-ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/sf-chefs-als-ice-bucket-challenge-in-koshland-park) - With overcast skies and cool temperatures, some of the best chefs in San Francisco braved the day to raise money for the ALS Association with the popular Ice Bucket Challenge in Koshland Park in San Francisco on Tuesday, August 19, 2014. [ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.] It was exciting
- [Now hiring for 2017-18 BEETS program!](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-our-2017-18-beets-program) - Attention BEETS applicants: we’ve extended our deadline!BEETS will gain skills around landscape design, outreach and communication, and project management. This year we are working with partners to create garden spaces along the Buchanan Mall!The application deadline is rolling! Apply TODAY!Download the application below or email Osceola@CommunityGrows.org for more information. Download BEETS Application
- [Morgan Stanley Brings Sunshine to Our Gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/morgan-stanley-brings-sunshine) - Morgan Stanley volunteers with CommunityGrows for a third year! Now our gardens look wonderful, and their actions have set the stage for another great year with our students.
- [Morgan Stanley Shines at Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/morgan-stanley-shines-at-koshland-garden) - On Wednesday August 16, 2017 a large group of Morgan Stanley volunteers came out to help us get Koshland Garden in good shape for the upcoming school year. After welcomes and introductions by the CommunityGrows staff, Melissa Tang, Director of Programs led everyone on a tour of the garden. The memorial planting garden was under
- [CG at the Teachers' Climate Institute](https://www.communitygrows.org/cg-at-the-teachers-climate-institute) - A few weeks ago 4 members of CommunityGrows (CG) presented at the Climate Insitute’s Teaching Climate Justice conference. At this event, a wide variety of speakers presented their work and reflections on climate justice and how it is represented and taught in the United States. Two of our BEETs (Band of Environmentally Educated Teens), Teresa
- [Kunal Palawat’s Journey: Relationship to Land, Environmental Justice, and BEETs](https://www.communitygrows.org/kunal-palawats-journey-relationship-to-land-environmental-justice-and-beets) - The BEETs (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) program at CommunityGrows is led by Kunal Palawat, who describes themselves as a Desi gardener, critical environmental justice researcher, and cook. They bring multiple years of experiential education, community organizing, and scientific research experience to CommunityGrows. More than that though, they bring and share their passion for the land that is contagious and inspiring. And it all started with a love for food and soil.
- [3 Ways to Connect Your Child to the Environment](https://www.communitygrows.org/3waystoconnectyourchildtotheenviornment) - Summer classes have officially ended, and our garden educators spent 6 weeks teaching students from kindergarten through 6th grade about gardening and cooking skills. It was fun, challenging, and therapeutic.
- [From a Seed to a Community](https://www.communitygrows.org/fromaseedtoacommunity) - I joined BEETs on a reference by my teacher. I joined for the sole reason on how they interacted with nature. It was something I had grown interested in, something I wanted to explore. Nature was depleting every single day, and my anxiety over climate change had really pushed me to the job.
- [Wreath Making + Holiday Fair back in person!](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreathmakingandholidayfair) - After weeks of planning, we still can’t believe how time flew by so quickly that we are halfway through December. CommunityGrows staff had the opportunity of safely participating in-person at two holiday events in the Western Addition community these past weeks and we want to share the holiday cheer with you by telling you all
- [Meet our 2021-2022 Americorps VISTAS](https://www.communitygrows.org/meet-our-americorps-vistas) - Our CommunityGrow’s VISTAS are members of the Americorps VISTA program. The VISTA program started in 1965 and serves in all 50 U.S. states and U.S. territories. Through capacity building activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program serve in an office setting and gain experience and leadership
- [Welcoming Students Back to the Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/welcoming-students-back-to-the-garden) - On a beautiful sunny day, I hear cheerful little voices slowly beginning to approach the garden. Two small classes of kindergarten students from John Muir Elementary are coming to learn in person at the Koshland Community Garden.
- [#GivingTuesday 2019](https://www.communitygrows.org/givingtuesday2019) - What Is #GivingTuesday? #GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in countries around the world. Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live. #GivingTuesday isn’t just about fundraising, it’s about communities banding
- [Happy Martin Luther King Junior Day!](https://www.communitygrows.org/happy-martin-luther-king-junior-day) - Martin Luther King Jr. day has become one of the most activated and volunteered days, and continues to motivate the community. Even after so many years, MLK has inspired most Americans to do better and unite for a better future. On Monday, January 20th, 2020, CommunityGrows again had the opportunity to work and partner with
- [Thank You, Angelique](https://www.communitygrows.org/thank-you-angelique) - CommunityGrows is saying goodbye and thank you this week to a wonderful team member and friend, Angelique (Marketing and Communications Coordinator). Angelique joined the CG team last February through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. She immediately jumped into things, not only helping to coordinate and capture the Rebuilding Together SHE Builds event at Koshland, but also
- [Garden Parfait Snack Recipe](https://www.communitygrows.org/garden-parfait-snack-recipe) - Ingredients 2 graham crackersYogurtBlueberries and strawberriesPlastic knifePlastic spoonScissorsTapeMarkersColorful paper squaresClear plastic cup Instructions Step 1: Using one paper square and markers draw a flower or nature scene. Cut out the picture and tape it on the end of the spoon, it will look like a flower in a garden when you are done!Step 2: Crush one
- [Roasted Chickpea Snack](https://www.communitygrows.org/roasted-chickpea-snack) - Kid jobs: Pinching, pouring, stirring, eating, smellingLearning objectives: Choosing spices is a creative skill that you can practice and develop. Begin to know spices based on smell, color and texture. Delicious snacks can be healthy, homemade, affordable, and fun. Practice fine motor skills.Ingredients:1 Can Garbanzo Beans2 Tablespoons Olive OilSaltPepperAny mix of spices that you like [I
- [Koshland and COVID-19](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-and-covid-19) - To our Neighbors and Friends, We hope you are all doing well during this difficult time, and that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. At this time, following the shelter in place order, SF Rec and Park discourages us from visiting community gardens. We know that for some of you, the garden
- [Nature Weaving](https://www.communitygrows.org/nature-weaving) - Shared by Garden & Nutrition Educator Cristina Materials CardboardScissorsYarn or StringPencil or MarkerLong Plant Materials (e.g. weed, flower, stem) Directions Step 1. Cut short slits in the border of the cardboard around 1inch apart. Do this on both ends of the cardboard, making sure the slits line up with each other. Step 2. Make a knot at
- [Supporting Educators and Students -- #GivingTuesdayNow](https://www.communitygrows.org/supporting-educators-and-students-givingtuesdaynow) - Supporting Educators and Students — #GivingTuesdayNow Today for #GivingTuesdayNow, CommunityGrows is raising money to support two very important groups in our community – our students and our educators. During the shelter in place order, our educators remain committed to connecting youth with the gardens and kitchens and continue to work hard to create and share
- [CommunityGrows Earth Day Scavenger Hunt!](https://www.communitygrows.org/scavenger-hunt) - Happy Earth Day everyone! Today, we want to take time to observe and appreciate the Earth and the nature that is all around us! This includes our yards and neighborhoods! The Challenge CommunityGrows invites you to participate in our Scavenger Hunt challenge! While you are outside or on a walk today, see if you can
- [We're hiring BEETs!](https://www.communitygrows.org/were-hiring-beets) - The BEETs Program is now accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year! The BEETs Program is a paid internship for teens ages 14-19, which focuses on environmental justice, gardening, and job skills. This year, the program will take place virtually, as well as in-person in various outdoor locations throughout the city. This is a PAID opportunity! Spread the word!Applications are
- [A New Chapter at CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/a-new-chapter-at-communitygrows) - Dear CommunityGrows family,With a grateful but bittersweet heart, I am officially announcing that I am leaving my position as Director of CommunityGrows this summer. I am headed over to the East Bay to continue to support equitable opportunities for health and wellness and connections to the Earth like we do at CG, but in my
- [Distanced Cooking Classes!](https://www.communitygrows.org/distanced-cooking-classes) - This year has brought many curve-balls. How we’ve been preparing for and conducting our classes has been unlike any other, but our teachers are rising to the challenge, and are dedicated to giving their students something special. Our wonderful educator Yaya and partners at Booker T. have been working together to create an innovative new way
- [Rosa Parks and Koshland Garden Updates](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-and-koshland-garden-updates) - Garden Update 2020 How are the gardens you ask? They’re still growing with what they have, and appreciate the care they are able to receive. Things have been a little lonely without all the kids running around— but that’ll make the eventual return all the more exciting. Our staff has been working safely, and sweatily,
- [A Conversation with our BEETs Leadership Crew](https://www.communitygrows.org/a-conversation-with-our-beets-leadership-crew) - On a sunny December afternoon, I sat down at my computer to have a discussion via Zoom with the spirited Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens (BEETs) Leadership Crew. A vital part of CommunityGrows programming is a paid teen internship where San Francisco youth can learn about the environment, gain plant cultivation skills, and
- [New Series: "What's in Season Wednesday?"](https://www.communitygrows.org/new-series-whats-in-season-wednesday) - Today we are kicking off our new and exciting series, “What’s In Season Wednesday?” on our CommunityGrows Instagram page...
- [2018 Recap: Summer in the Gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-in-the-gardens) - “I want to be kind and protect all of the creatures in the garden! I love creatures!” — a student who affectionately referred to all insects in the garden as “creatures” and who may, one day, be an entomologist. Fun in the Sun CommunityGrows had a wonderful summer! We enjoyed working with youth from partner programs
- [4th Annual Choose Peace Festival](https://www.communitygrows.org/4th-annual-choose-peace-not-violence-festival) - CommunityGrows had the privilege of attending and taking part in the 4th annual Choose Peace Not Violence festival at the Ella Hutch Hill Center on August 25th. The sun was shining as friends, neighbors, and community organizations came together to listen to music, watch performances, and take part in the many activities offered by local
- [Volunteer Highlight: Autodesk Comes to Koshland](https://www.communitygrows.org/autodesk-workday) - It was a perfect Friday to get out of the office and into the gardens! Autodesk joined CommunityGrows last week for a workday at Koshland to get the garden in shape for the upcoming semester. After a round of introductions, the team participated in a game led by Gardens Program Manager Anna. One of her
- [Bain & Co. Brings a Green Thumb to our Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/bain-and-co-volunteer-2018) - Last Friday, Bain and Co. joined CommunityGrows for a workday in Koshland garden! Though a bit overcast, the team jumped into the task list for the day and gave the garden a makeover, just in time for the start of classes. Read more about their workday below! The day started with a group activity led by
- [3rd Annual Joey the Cat Fundraiser!](https://www.communitygrows.org/joey-the-cat-2018) - CommunityGrows would like to thank everyone who joined us and supported our 3rd Annual Fall Fundraiser at Joey the Cat! The night was a huge success (we met and then surpassed our fundraising goals!) as well as a fun way to celebrate a wonderful year with our friends, partners, and supporters. We want to give a
- [Health & Wellness & Sweet Potato Tacos](https://www.communitygrows.org/health-wellness-sweet-potato-tacos) - At this week’s Mo’Magic meeting, Garden and Seed-to-Mouth educator Yaya made sweet potato tacos for the annual Health and Wellness presentation. Not only were the tacos delicious, but they looked beautiful too! What is Mo'MAGIC? Mo’ MAGIC is a collaborative San Francisco neighborhood-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the community and youth through
- [Hot Apple Cider and Homemade DIY Decorations](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreathcardmaking-2018) - This weekend, folks braved the rain and came together with CommunityGrows for the annual wreath and card making event! The space was cozy under the tarps, with hot cider in hand, holiday music playing, and friends chatting as everyone created their masterpieces. We are so grateful to Hayes Valley Art Works and Friends of the Urban Forest for being so
- [Hello BEETS, Mobile Meditation Pavilions, and 2019!](https://www.communitygrows.org/hello-beets-mobile-meditation-pavilions-and-2019) - In Case You Missed It… The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated & Employable Teens) is an opportunity for teens to earn a stipend as they learn about environmental stewardship, experience nature, discover issues of food equity and environmental justice, and increase their personal well-being and that of their own neighborhood and community.As part of the
- [2018 Highlights! (and what we're looking forward to in 2019)](https://www.communitygrows.org/2018-highlights) - “Today in the garden it was bright and sunny and so I was happy” – 4th grade student during garden reflection at the end of class.We are so grateful to our wonderful partners, dedicated staff, curious students, enthusiastic parents, advocates in the Green Team, generous supporters, and all of our committed volunteers!We couldn’t do this
- [Fall Back into Garden Class!](https://www.communitygrows.org/upcoming-garden-class) - [vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”13473″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]This week kicks off the beginning of garden and nutrition classes at Rosa Parks Elementary School and Rosa Parks ExCEL after school program. (And at school partners including Booker T. Washington Community Center, Faces SF, too! Classes at John Muir Elementary School, Western Addition Beacon, Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club, and Magic
- [MLK Day of Service 2019](https://www.communitygrows.org/mlk-2019) - This MLK Day, CommunityGrows joined the African-American Arts and Culture Complex (AAACC) to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 2019 Day of Service. The event began at the AAACC with opening remarks from co-Executive Directors Melonie and Melorra Green, speakers Mayor Breed and District 5 Supervisor Vallie Brown, a spoken word performance by
- [Neighborhood Love Day!](https://www.communitygrows.org/neighborhood-love) - This Valentine’s Day, CommunityGrows joined the February festivities with a Neighborhood Love Day celebration! Hosted by the BEETS, students from partner programs and people from the community were invited to take part in some carnival themed games for the Hallmark holiday!The teens worked as a group to plan the games in advance and create homemade
- [Join the BEETS 2019 Summer Session! Apply Today!](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-the-beets-2019) - Are you or someone you know 15–19 years old and looking for an awesome way to spend your summer AND get paid?
- [2019 Youth BEETS and YAX Build a Mediation Pavilion](https://www.communitygrows.org/2019-youth-beets-builds-a-mediation-pavilion) - Thanks to support from the San Francisco Arts Commission, our BEETS and teens from YAX (Youth Art Exchange) collaborated with the Advanced Architecture Firm students to design and build an outdoor, mobile meditation pavilion: an outdoor, collapsible and transportable pavilion that holds five to ten people. It will be used for quiet reflection, meditation and teaching
- [National Rebuilding Day 2019: Showing Our Love at Koshland](https://www.communitygrows.org/nrd2019-showing-our-love-at-koshland) - Rebuilding Together SF, SheBuilds This April, Rebuilding Together San Francisco (RTSF) is working with CommunityGrows to build new garden plots, create a garden classroom, and revitalize the space at Koshland Community Park and Learning Garden. Since 1989, Rebuilding Together SF has “provide[d] home repair and renovation programs for their San Francisco neighbors, nonprofit organizations and
- [Celebrating Earth Day!](https://www.communitygrows.org/celebrating-earth-day) - On April 22nd, the BEETS hosted an Earth Day Celebration on the Buchanan Mall. The event featured healthy yogurt parfait snacks, a scavenger hunt, an “Around the Earth” free throw contest, writing letters to the Earth and seed planting! Children and youth from neighboring programs like Booker T. Washington and Ella Hill came to learn and
- [National Rebuilding Day 2019: SheBuilds for the Community!](https://www.communitygrows.org/national-rebuilding-day-2019) - As April comes to a close, we at CommunityGrows are celebrating the successful completion of a nearly year-long project with Rebuilding Together! The SheBuilds team joined us at Koshland Community Park and Learning Garden on National Rebuilding Day with the goal of increasing the capacity and existing green space in the garden, as well as
- [This summer we're partnering with Opportunities for All!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summerofa) - We’re excited to announce that this summer our BEETS Program will be participating in Mayor Breed’s Opportunities for All initiative!We’re partnering with Magic Zone to offer teens up to 80 hours of job skills and training focused on gardening, environmentalism and healthy cooking this summer. Through the exciting partnership we’ll be able to increase our stipend rate to $15 an
- [Congratulations, BEETS class of 2018-19!](https://www.communitygrows.org/congratulations-beets-class-of-2018-19) - Congratulations!Jalyn McFarland-Kelley Tiana Hubbard Daniel Juarez Ahlaya Martin Hannah LinOn Wednesday, May 15, our BEETS cohort culminated their 6-month internship with CommunityGrows with a graduation celebration! These teens were such an amazing team: they successfully planned and ran run three community-events in the Western Addition: Wreath and Card Making in partnership with Hayes Valley Art Works; Neighborhood
- [Farewell & Thank You!](https://www.communitygrows.org/farewell-thank-you) - CommunityGrows would like to thank and wish our employees – Emily Dial and Debbie Harris – a grateful goodbye and our hope that they continue influence the community as they did with us! Both Emily and Debbie have gone out of their way to help and tend our community gardens. Emily was our garden & nutrition
- [Our own Trailblazers!](https://www.communitygrows.org/our-own-trailblazers) - Throughout the years women have worked in many different fields – and while they have historically been denied or struggled to gain access in certain sectors – it’s amazing to see how far women have come. At CommunityGrows, we are blessed to have two such amazing women – Barbara Wenger and Kelly ErnstFriedman. Wenger founded CommunityGrows
- [Summer Recipe: Veggie Butterfly Snack](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-recipe-veggie-butterfly-snack) - As we all continue to enjoy this warm weather and everything that comes with it, here is a recipe that you can enjoy with your kids this summer: Veggie Butterfly Snack Ingredients1 CeleryA spoonful SunButter8-10 Blueberries2 Pretzels1 Cherry Tomato1 Small Marshmallow2 Tiny Chocolate Chips (multiply amounts by number of kids) Recipe: Wash and slice celery
- [Community Barbecue](https://www.communitygrows.org/community-barbecue) - “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success” -Edward Everett Hale.On July 10th, 2019, CommunityGrows had the honors to give back to our community and it could not have gone any better. Thank you to the amazing community members and other organizations that were able to attend the event, more
- [Westside Court Workday!](https://www.communitygrows.org/westside-court-workday) - Westside Court Apartments is a very engaging community with committed residents who are activating the outdoor shared spaces. Westside courts is a pleasure to have in the neighborhood. I play basketball there a couple times a week (super convenient), and people are always friendly. It’s nice to come home to a neighborhood with something actually going
- [Willie Mays Planting Day!](https://www.communitygrows.org/willie-mays-planting-day) - The Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club is located in the Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. This Boys & Girls Club is named after Willie Howard Mays Jr., a former MLB player for the San Francisco Giants. The garden at this location provides food for its community members, which is comprised of the students
- [Thank You Hall Capital!](https://www.communitygrows.org/thank-you-hall-capital) - On September 17th, 2019, CommunityGrows had the honor of working with some of Hall Capital staff, to work on garden maintenance and beautification projects in the Buchanan Mall Garden. These group workdays are a huge help to our staff because it can be difficult to work on large garden projects between teaching classes, curriculum building,
- [Robert Pitts Workday!](https://www.communitygrows.org/robert-pitts-workday-2) - The Robert Pitts Apartments is a very friendly and welcoming community. The residents are very involved and want to continue improving their spaces and create more community activities for their future (and current!) families, children, and residents. We were honored to be invited to help the community transform their garden beds, together. On Friday, October
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- [Buchanan Mall with Rosa Parks Senior Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-on-the-mall) - On Thursday, April 28, 2016 CommunityGrows joined Citizen Films, Green Streets, the Western Addition Neighborhood Access Point Career Center, Bayview Senior Services, the Recreation and Park Department, and other neighborhood partners for an afternoon on Buchanan Mall at the Rosa Parks Senior Center. There was planting of edibles led by Jay Jordan, our CommunityGrows Garden Educator,and
- [Earth Day at Rosa Parks Elementary School Gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/earth-day-at-rosa-parks-elementary-school-gardens) - On Saturday, April 23, 2017 CommunityGrows joined the families of Rosa Parks Elementary School, the student volunteers from University High School, and our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) and Advisory Board members and candidates, for a very successful workday.. Jay Jordan and Cha’Shay Woldridge, CommunityGrows staff, led the group in a number
- [Vegetarian Tacos at Hayward Rec Connect](https://www.communitygrows.org/vegetarian-tacos-at-hayward-rec-connect) - On Monday, April 18, 2016 the kids at Hayward Rec Connect after-school made delicious Vegetarian Tacos. The students learned about the beauty of vegetables when slicing into a beet, and the healthy benefits of combining foods, like beans, rice and salsa with other vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and spinach, to name a few. After
- [New Liberation Garden Visit](https://www.communitygrows.org/new-liberation-garden-visit) - On Thursday July 3, 2014 CommunityGrows staff went to visit Amy Farah Weiss, founder of Neighbors Developing Divisadero [Street] and the re-activator/manager of New Liberation Community Garden at Divisadero and Eddy Streets in San Francisco. She is in the process of coordinating a partnership between New Liberation Church (property owners), Asian Neighborhood Design, and Booker
- [BEETS Clean-Up Good!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-clean-up-good) - On Saturday, June 28, 2014 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) did a garden maintenance day at the African American Arts and Culture Center. This garden along the edge of the parking lot, was designed and built by the BEETS in July 2011. Since then they have been helping to maintain it,
- [Cooking Classes in Hayes Valley Apts Begin](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-classes-in-hayes-valley-apts-begins) - Cooking Classes began at Hayes Valley Apartments on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Under the expert instruction of Adrian Gaino and Ezekiel McCarter, both CommunityGrows staff, the afternoon class put together a delicious coleslaw. Tracye Taylor, staff of the African American Arts and Culture Center brought her summer youth group for the afternoon lesson. An engaged
- [BEETS Go Camping](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-go-camping-2) - On Tuesday and Wednesday, June 17-18, 2014 the summer BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) went to the Presidio for a great experience of camping overnight. As a kick-off event for the summer BEETS interns, the goal was to provide a safe and fun time to get to know peers and to experience
- [Green Gulch Farm with Booker T. and Up-on-Top Summer Youth](https://www.communitygrows.org/green-gulch-with-booker-t-and-up-ontop) - On Thursday, June 12, 2014, CommunityGrows took two groups of youth from Booker T. Washington Community Service Center and Up-on-Top Summer Program to Green Gulch Farm. It was a day out of the City to enjoy the fresh air, see the gardens and get some exercise. After a winding road up Highway 1 and down
- [Summer BEETS Begin!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-beets-begin) - On Tuesday, June 10, 2014 thirteen teens began their summer internship with the CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). Seven returning youth [Windy Pun, Candy Williams, Jairo Villalta, Jennifer Rodriques, Kyle Peterson, Monique Adams and Rodrick Irby] joined six new recruits [Amanda Jack, Angie Lemus, Jahnae Stanford, Ivan Galdamez, Maceo Mayorga and
- [Cooking Matters with 18 Reasons](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-matters-with-18-reasons) - On Tuesday, June 10, 2014, some of our CommunityGrows staff went to visit the first day of a six-week summer program at Marshall Elementary School in San Francisco sponsored by 18 Reasons and Cooking Matters. 18 Reasons offers these free classes of cooking and nutrition throughout the Bay Area, sharing their culinary skills and creativity
- [Volunteer with the BEETS this Summer!](https://www.communitygrows.org/volunteer-with-the-beets-this-summer) - CommunityGrows is recruiting a volunteer to assist with the BEETS Program (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). The summer session runs from June 10-August 7, 2014. Please see the application below and sign up on our volunteer website if you are interested. Beets Program Volunteer Description Summer 2014 by Barbara Wenger
- [SFUAA at Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/sfuaa-at-koshland-garden) - On Saturday, May 31, 20124, the San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance hosted a bike ride through the Hayes Valley, Civic Center and Tenderloin Neighborhoods to see some of the hidden gardens there. The purpose was to introduce people to urban agriculture activities in our city, raise awareness about what is happening, and offer information about
- [Men with Fruit!](https://www.communitygrows.org/men-with-fruit) - Both our male staff members at CommunityGrows were dishing up great food on Monday, May 19, 2014 at two of our sites, Rosa Parks Elementary School and Hayward Rec Center in San Francisco. Adrian Almquist, Garden Programs Manager, led a lesson in making Apple Strawberry Crumble and Ezekiel McCarter, Rosa Parks Garden Assistant, created yummy
- [Saying "Good-bye" to Nora](https://www.communitygrows.org/saying-good-bye-to-nora) - CommunityGrows threw a “Good-bye” party for Nora Brereton, our outgoing Director of Programs on Friday, May 16, 2014 from 4-6 PM in Koshland Garden. Many partners, youth, BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens), consultants, Advisory Board members, volunteers, family and friends came out for a great BBQ and potluck to honor Nora’s seven
- [Yale Day of Service and International High School Rock!](https://www.communitygrows.org/yale-day-of-service-and-international-high-school-rock) - On Saturday, May 10, 2014 great volunteers from International High School and alumni from Yale University came out to help CommunityGrows with a Koshland Park and Garden Workday. Adrian Almquist, Garden Programs Manager, led the day with weeding, mulching, and preparing the summer garden. Everyone enjoyed meeting new friends and chillin’ out in the cool
- [Spring 2014 BEETS Graduation](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-2014-beets-graduation) - On May 1, 2014 the Spring cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) had their graduation at the Hayes Valley Apartments Community Room. Congratulations to Darwin Cruz, Wendy Guan, Roderick Irby, Joana Juan, Venyse Sims, Kyle Taylor-Patterson, Angelica Tillman, Naomi Tong, Hakim Tookes, Dexter Tan, Deante Traylor-Manigo, and Juan Villalta. Family, friends,
- [Introducing Kelly ErnstFriedman](https://www.communitygrows.org/introducing-kelly-ernstfriedman) - We would like to welcome Kelly ErnstFriedman to our staff as the new Director of Programs. Her recent work with the Oakland School District on the development of a food recovery program inspired her to seek out CommunityGrows, which is committed to planting the seeds of food justice among Bay Area youth. She spent the
- [One Day on Earth at Rosa Parks Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/one-day-on-earth-at-rosa-parks-elementary-school) - On April 26th, 2014 CommunityGrows participated in a media campaign, “One Day in San Francisco,” a participatory media-creation event. We did this during our Rosa Parks Elementary School gardens workday. We documented stories and investigated 10 questions for the future of San Francisco. The resulting media will be showcased in an interactive geo-tagged archive and
- [Try this at home: Sushi!](https://www.communitygrows.org/try-this-at-home-sushi) - On Monday, April 21, 2014 we made sushi with the after school K-5 graders at Hayward Rec Center on Laguna Street in San Francisco. The sushi was marvelous! In fact, it was so easy we may never buy sushi again. See below for the easy recipe. After going over the Seed-to-Mouth rules and washing hands,
- [Join Us for a Garden Workday on May 10th](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-us-for-a-garden-workday-on-may-10th) - On Saturday, May 10th, 2014 we will be having a garden workday in Koshland Park, corner of Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. We will be joined by a great group of volunteers from the Yale Day of Service as well. The workday is from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We will be weeding,
- [Third Professional Development a Great Success!](https://www.communitygrows.org/third-professional-development-a-great-success) - On Saturday, April 19, 2014 CommunityGrows Director of Programs, Nora Brereton led the third professional development day for pre-kindergarten teachers at the Rosa Parks Elementary School upper garden. Teachers from Noriega Child Development Center, Commodore Stockton Child Development Center and Raphael Weill Child Development Center attended. Everyone introduced themselves with their garden names, such as
- [WalkSF visits Koshland Peace Wall and Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/sfwalk-visits-koshland-peace-wall-and-garden) - On Saturday, April 19th a group of 30+ walking enthusiasts from Walk San Francisco came to Koshland Park to view and hear the story about the Western Addition Peace Wall and visit the Learning Garden. Walk San Francisco is San Francisco’s pedestrian advocacy group. Walk SF and its members are making San Francisco a more
- [BEETS Camping with Backyard Bound-GGNP](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-camping-with-backyard-bound-ggnp) - by Rodrick Irby, current BEET Intern The CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens), as well as high school teens from all across the Bay Area, attended the Backyard Bound overnight camping trip in the Presidio on Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 2014. The purpose of this trip was not only to build
- [Recruiting Teens for our Summer BEETS Program](https://www.communitygrows.org/recruiting-teens-for-our-summer-beets-program) - We are recruiting teens between the ages of 15 and 19 to join our Summer BEETS Program. The summer session will go from June 10 through August 7, 2014. Deadline for applications is Friday, May 16th at 5:00 PM. BEETS-Summer 2014 Flier by Barbara Wenger BEETS Internship Application Summer 2014 by Barbara Wenger
- [Koshland Park and Garden Shine after Workday](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-shine-after-workday) - On Saturday, March 15, 2014 CommunityGrows had a great spring workday in Koshland Park and Garden. Our terrific Recreation and Park Gardener, Freddie Ealom, was on board to direct volunteers in the park, and Nora Brereton led the volunteers in the garden. Most of our male teens from the BEETS Program came out to do
- [Professional Development for Raphael Weill Pre-Kindergarten Teachers](https://www.communitygrows.org/professional-development-for-raphael-weill-kindergarten-teachers) - On an overcast Saturday March 1, 2014, CommunityGrows offered their first Professional Development to the pre-kindergarten teachers of Raphael Weill School. This school is right next door to the Rosa Parks Elementary School garden, and the teachers had been wanting to bring their students to learn about environmental education. Nora Brereton lead the training and
- [BEETS Promote at Summer Opportunities Fair](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-promote-at-summer-opportunities-fair) - Jairo Villalta and Kyle Taylor-Patterson, two of our CommunityGrows Spring BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens), attended a fair at the Bay School in the Presidio for First Graduate’s Summer Opportunities on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. They were there to promote the BEETS Program of CommunityGrows. First Graduate is San Francisco-based college success
- [BEETS make Salsa](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-make-salsa) - On Tuesday, February 25th the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) had a great discussion about sodas and sugar. We guessed how much sugar was in various sodas and were surprised that there was so much. We talked about how sodas don’t actually satisfy hunger the way solid food calories do and that
- [Workday Saturday March 15th in Koshland Park and Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-saturday-march-15th-in-koshland-park-and-garden) - Come enjoy the spring weather this weekend. We are having a Workday in Koshland Park and Garden this Saturday, March 15 from 11-2 PM. Koshland Park is located on the corner of Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. The garden is in the bottom of the park. We will be weeding, planting, sweeping, pruning,
- [Third Graders with Microscopes!](https://www.communitygrows.org/third-graders-with-microscopes) - On Friday afternoon February 21, 2014, Room 410 at John Muir Elementary School, was abuzz with Mr. Stoddard’s third grade class. They were in the CommunityGrows Science Center learning about the world underneath a microscope. At the beginning of the class, Adrian Almquist, assisted by Naomi Tong and Angelica Tillman, both BEETS interns, set out
- [All about Trash!](https://www.communitygrows.org/all-about-trash) - On Saturday, February 15, 2014 our CommunityGrows Spring BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) cohort when off to explore trash at Recology. Recology is an integrated resource recovery company headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company collects and processes municipal solid waste, reclaiming useful materials that would have otherwise been buried in a
- [Say "Cheese" Please!](https://www.communitygrows.org/say-cheese-please) - On Monday, February 10, 2014 the Seed-to-Mouth afterschool cooking class at Hayward Rec Center on Laguna Street in San Francisco made Ricotta Cheese. The youth began by de-stemming oregano and rosemary and chopping the herbs finely. They also washed and separated romaine lettuce. Then they watched as Adrian Almquist, CommunityGrows garden educator and cooking instructor,
- [Spring 2014 BEETS begins with trip to Baker Beach!](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-2014-beets-begins-and-trip-to-baker-beach) - On January 28, 2014 our Spring BEETS Cohort began. This spring, the BEETS Program (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) has seven new teens and five returning from previous sessions. For the first time since 2008, this cohort has more guys than gals—an exciting adventure! They came from a pool of 40 applicants, and
- [Miso Soup for the Masses!](https://www.communitygrows.org/miso-soup-for-the-masses) - On Monday January 27, 2014 CommunityGrows led the after-school youth at Hayward Rec Center in San Francisco through the paces to make a hearty miso soup. They stemmed and chopped kale, cut up carrots, sweet potatoes and onions, boiling and peeled hard boiled eggs, and added soba noodles. Everyone was busy creating and contributing to
- [Great MLK Day in Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/great-mlk-day-in-koshland-garden) - On Monday, January 20, 2014 we had a great turnout of folks to work in Koshland Garden for Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service. A group of twenty high school students came from International High School (of French American International School) with their Service Learning Coordinator, Elizabeth Cleere. This school, located in the neighborhood,
- [Martin Luther King Day of Service-January 20, 2014](https://www.communitygrows.org/martin-luther-king-day-of-service-january-20-2014) - Please join us to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Day of Service on Monday, January 20, 2014 from 10 AM TO 1 PM in Koshland Park and Garden, corner of Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. Please read the flyer below for more details. Hope to see you there! 1.20.14 Mlk Kp Wkday by Barbara
- [Holiday Carnival at the AAACC](https://www.communitygrows.org/holiday-carnival-at-the-aaacc) - On Saturday, December 14th the African American Arts and Culture Complex (AAACC), where CommunityGrows office is located, hosted their annual Winter Carnival. Many groups performed and there were loads of carnival rides for the kids. There was even snow! Honored guests were Mark Leno, State Senator, London Breed, District 5 Supervisor, and Trayvon Martin’s family.
- [Gingerbread and Whipped Cream!](https://www.communitygrows.org/gingerbread-and-whipped-cream) - On Monday, December 9, 2013 the after-school youth at Hayward Rec Center on Laguna Street in San Francisco, got to make a holiday treat: Gingerbread! Gingerbread from scratch! It was a long process and everyone had faith that something good was going to come of all their efforts. Each youth got to add the ingredients,
- [Everyone in the Spirit of the Holidays!](https://www.communitygrows.org/everyone-in-the-spirit-of-the-holidays) - On Saturday December 7, 2013 CommunityGrows hosted the sixth annual Wreath Making event for the Western Addition neighborhood. The Hayes Valley Apartments Community Room was a buzz with activity as many folks came by to make wreaths for themselves and other residents. Our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) were on hand to
- [Kenya Mack Highlighted at Film Screening](https://www.communitygrows.org/kenya-mack-highlighted-at-film-screening) - Kenya Mack, one of our very own Fall 2013 BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) was invited to be highlighted and attend a screening of a new film at the New People Cinema Complex on Post Street on December 5, 2013. It was a night to showcase youth activism and Havana Curveball, a
- [BEETS Help Serve Up Thanksgiving at John Muir School](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-help-serve-up-thanksgiving-at-john-muir-school) - On Saturday, November 23, 2013, CommunityGrows participated with many neighborhood partners to offer Thanksgiving to the Community at John Muir Elementary School. The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) join teens from Magic Zone to serve up the food. The afternoon entertainment included many different youth groups performing, such as Handful Players and
- [Gettin' Down at Booker T. Washington Afterschool](https://www.communitygrows.org/gettin-down-at-booker-t-washington-afterschool) - On Thursday, November 21, 2013 The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined the after-school program at Booker T. Washington Community Service Center to share their knowledge about gardening, and plant some winter crops. It was also the first day of filming for Citizen Films, a company that’s doing a video of CommunityGrows
- [Highlights of the West Coast Craft Fair](https://www.communitygrows.org/highlights-of-the-west-coast-craft-fair) - On Saturday and Sunday, November 16th and 17th, 2013, CommunityGrows was featured at the West Coast Crafts Fair at Fort Mason. We raffled off dinner for two at State Bird Provisions and a beautiful quilt from the San Francisco Quilters Guild. We had cookbooks and fantastic seed packets available for purchase as well. Our BEETS
- [John Muir School's Pollinator Project](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-schools-pollinator-project) - On Thursday, November 14, 2013 John Muir Elementary School in San Francisco was a-buzz with activity as parents, teachers, principal Chris Rosenberg, CommunityGrows staff and the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined Markos Major, for a Pollinator Garden Project at the school. They planted California native and other climate-adapted plants, feed the
- [Feeding the Birds](https://www.communitygrows.org/feeding-the-birds) - On Wednesday, November 13, 2013 the afterschool Magic Zone youth came to Koshland Garden with Chaniel Williams, Program Lead for K-2 and Maurice Scott, Program Assistant, to make pine-cone bird feeders. Adrian Almquist, CommunityGrows Garden Educator lead the class, with assistance by volunteer, Janine Gee. They were also joined by another potential volunteer, Derek Richardson,
- [Ahh.. the Smell of Evergreens and Cider!](https://www.communitygrows.org/ahh-the-smell-of-evergreens-and-cider) - Please join us Saturday, December 7th for our annual wreath and card making party. It will be held at the Hayes Valley Apts Community Room at 403 Rose Street, near the corner of Rose and Buchanan Streets (across from the entrance to Koshland Park). The time is 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Make a wreath
- [BEETS Host Jobs Panel](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-host-jobs-panel) - On Tuesday November 5, 2013 the CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) hosted a panel of workers from the community. On the panel were Francee Covington, a San Francisco Fire Commissioner, Carol Fields, a Rosa Parks Elementary School teacher, Genevieve Cyrs, an Occupational Therapist from the OTTP Training Program, Tyrone Mullins with
- [Teens in Koshland Garden with the Redwood Trust](https://www.communitygrows.org/teens-in-koshland-with-the-redwood-trust) - Saturday, November 2, 2013 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) hosted teens from the CA Academy of Sciences and CommunityGrows hosted the Redwood Trust Employee Foundation for a day of garden maintenance in Koshland Park. The Redwood Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT) located in Mill Valley, CA. In May
- [Come See Us at the West Coast Crafts Fair](https://www.communitygrows.org/come-see-us-at-the-west-coast-crafts-fair) - CommunityGrows will be featured at the West Coast Crafts Fair on November 16th and 17th at Fort Mason. We are thrilled about this opportunity. Come out and see us. Enter a raffle for dinner for two at State Bird Provisions and a beautiful quilt from the San Francisco Quilters Guild. We will have cookbooks and
- [Civic Center Farmers' Market with the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/civic-center-farmers-market-with-the-beets) - On a cold Wednesday afternoon, October 23, 2013 ten of the Fall BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) met up with Melissa Tang to explore the Civic Center Farmers Market in San Francisco. Although it was late in the day, the market was still bustling with shoppers checking out the produce from farmers’
- [Dinosaur Kale and Happy Tummies](https://www.communitygrows.org/dinasour-kale-and-happy-tummies) - On Monday, October 21st, the Hayward RecConnect-San Francisco kids devoted themselves to ripping stems from Dinosaur Kale and chopping the leaves into small pieces. They cut onions, zucchini and carrots as well, to add to a delicious minestrone soup. Well versed in the art of washing hands, caring for utensils and other cooking rules, these
- [Take the BEETS out of the City!](https://www.communitygrows.org/take-the-beets-out-of-the-city) - On Saturday, October 19, 2013 the CommunityGrows staff, lead by Melissa Tang, BEETS Program Manager, and Adrian Almquist, Garden Educator, took a group of our Fall 2013 BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) out of the City to enjoy a day at Green Gulch Farm in Marin. Hoka Sarah Carter, a docent for
- [World Food Day Celebrated at Rosa Parks](https://www.communitygrows.org/world-food-day-celebrated-at-rosa-parks) - Today, October 16, 2013 is World Food Day and Rosa Parks Elementary School with the help of CommunityGrows Garden Educator, Ezekiel McCarter, join the global movement to end hunger by holding a salad day. Early in the morning a class gleaned the upper garden for kale, chard and fava beans. Then to the kitchen where
- [Redwood Trust Sponsors Koshland Garden Workday](https://www.communitygrows.org/redwood-trust-sponsors-koshland-garden-workday) - Please join CommunityGrows and the Redwood Trust Employee Foundation for an invigorating day working in the Koshland Garden in Koshland Park San Francisco, on the corner of Page and Buchanan Streets on Saturday, November 2, 2013 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. See details below. Hope to see you there!11.2.13 Redwood KP Wkday
- [Welcome Melissa Tang-New BEETS Manager](https://www.communitygrows.org/welcome-melissa-tang-new-beets-manager) - We would like to welcome and share with you our new BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) Program Manager, Melissa Tang, who joined the CommunityGrows staff in July 2013. She is responsible for program design and implementation of the BEETS teen internship program. Melissa has over five years experience in youth development and
- [Workday in Koshland Park with Starbucks and the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-in-koshland-park-with-starucks-and-the-beets) - On Saturday, September 14th our friends from Starbucks joined CommunityGrows staff and the new Fall cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) for a workday in Koshland Park and Garden. Lots of green refuse came out of the garden, and wood chips when in. Beds were mulched, ivy cleared, and fun was
- [One Medical Group Volunteers at Cobb Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/one-medical-group-volunteers-at-cobb-garden) - On September 11th and 25th, a great group of volunteers from One Medical Group came to Cobb Elementary School Garden, maintained by CommunityGrows staff, and helped us remove green refuse and trash from the site. This school garden was built many years ago, but went into disrepair when funding for a garden educator dried up.
- [Rosa Parks Fall Workday](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-fall-workday) - On Saturday, September 7th, Rosa Parks Elementary School families and friends joined CommunityGrows staff Ezekiel McCarter to prepare the garden beds for the Fall seasons. The lower garden was weeded, turned and readied for teachers to use with their classes. The upper garden was weeded and mulched. CommunityGrows staff teaches environmental education classes in the
- [Summer 2013 BEETS Graduate!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-2013-beets-graduate) - On August 8, 2013 our Summer cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) had a graduation ceremony at Hayes Valley Youth Center. Melissa Tang, our new CommunityGrows BEETS Manager officiated with awards and certificates. In fact, after giving out certificates of completion, some of the fun awards were: Barbara Nguyen: Future Firefighter
- [B.A.T.S. at the CA Academy!](https://www.communitygrows.org/b-a-t-s-at-the-ca-academy) - CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) participated in Teen Science Night at the CA Academy of Science on Friday, August 16, 2013. Teen Science Night was a night of non-stop science exploration, DJs, dancing, games and food organized by Bay Area Teen Science (B.A.T.S.) The B.A.T.S. collaborative, which includes youth from the
- [National Night Out-Great Party!](https://www.communitygrows.org/national-night-out-great-party) - How much do we love our neighborhood in the Western Addition of San Francisco? Quite a lot by the show of friends and partners who came out on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 for National Night Out celebration. It was great to see everybody having fun, dancing, playing games, eating great food, and learning more about
- [Quilt Benefit for CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/quilt-benefit-for-communitygrows) - Thursday, August 8, 2013 from 7-8:30 PM, The Natural Mattress Store on 1243 Sutter Street (between Polk and Van Ness) will be displaying quilts from the San Francisco Quilting Guild. A percentage of the sales of these quilts will go to CommunityGrows. The first group of quilts on display through September 22, 2013 will be
- [Umm Umm Good!](https://www.communitygrows.org/umm-umm-good) - Friday, August 2,2013 CommunityGrows staff Adrian Gaino, assisted by volunteer Akiko Fujii and Jah’Torri Bettis of the African American Arts and Culture Center (AAACC) lead a group of enthusiastic students through the making of one of our favorite recipes: fried rice. So easy and delicious. The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) helped
- [Teens 15-19: Join our Fall 2013 BEETS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/teens-15-19-join-our-fall-2013-beets) - Beets Flyer FALL 2013 by Barbara Wenger BEETS FALL 2013 Application by Barbara Wenger
- [Community Open Market Kick-Off Buchanan Greenway](https://www.communitygrows.org/community-open-market-kick-off) - On Saturday, July 27, 2013 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) helped out at the first ever Community Open Market in the Buchanan Mall Greenway San Francisco. This mall, as opposed to the Buchanan Mall in Japantown, is a stretch of land between Grove and Turk Street blocked off from traffic, which
- [Give it Up for Calendula!](https://www.communitygrows.org/give-it-up-for-calendula) - Summer in San Francisco is different from almost everywhere else. Cool and foggy, highs in the 60s, and patches of sun in-and-out of the day. A great air-conditioned City to balance the scorching heat of the north, south and east bay. Sometimes we don’t even know how lucky we are! And, when you’re out of
- [Fields of Greens and Flowers](https://www.communitygrows.org/fields-of-greens-and-flowers) - Two lucky groups of youth from CommunityGrows partners, Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, and the Village Project, got to take a bus out of the City to the fog shrouded hills and watershed of Green Gulch Farm last Tuesday, July 24, 2013. It was a day all about discovery and exploration, with great lessons
- [Oh! What Big Eyes You Have!](https://www.communitygrows.org/oh-what-big-eyes-you-have) - The Magic Zone kids (from our partner Mo’Magic’s summer program) came to get a lesson offered by CommunityGrows in bug identification on Monday, July 22, 2013 in Koshland Garden. They started out by listing all the bugs they’ve seen in Koshland Garden—those that fly, those that crawl and those that wiggle. Then the fun began.
- [Mellow Workday in the Koshland Summer Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/mellow-workday-in-the-koshland-summer-garden) - Saturday July 20, 2013 was a beautiful, mellow day to work together with friends in Koshland Garden. Adrian Almquist, Garden Educator wrote up the list: move dirt from top of park to garden, fill planters with soil, shade garden clean up, water garden, pick up trash, do weeding, turn the compost pile and prune back
- [Rad Radishes with Ezekiel](https://www.communitygrows.org/rad-radishes-with-ezekiel) - On Friday, July 19,2013 Ezekiel McCarter, our Rosa Parks Assistant Gardener, led the YMCA Buchanan kids in a lesson on preparing soil and planting radishes. Attendance is always a great way to start the day. Everyone has a garden name, using their first name and a garden animal or plant that begins with the first
- [Bi-Rite Market hosts the BEETS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/bi-rite-market-hosts-the-beets) - On Tuesday, July 16, 2013, the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) got a fantastic tour of Bi-Rite Market lead by Shakirah Simley. Shakirah is the communications/outreach person at Bi-Rite and has recently joined the CommunityGrows Advisory Board. We were thrilled to have her lead the tour and the BEETS learned a TON
- [Herb Smells for Watermelons-Hayward Carnival](https://www.communitygrows.org/herb-smells-for-watermelons-hayward-carnival) - CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) devised a great game for the 2013 Hayward Rec Carnival held on July 12th. Placing different herbs in cloth bags—lavendar, rosemary, basil, lemon verbena, mint and lamb’s ear, the BEETS allowed the kids to reach in, touch and smell the mystery herbs and guess which ones
- [First 2013 Summer Trip to Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/first-2013-summer-trip-to-green-gulch-farm) - On Tuesday, July 2, 2013 CommunityGrows hosted their first summer field trip to Green Gulch Farm. Along for the ride were the Western Addition Beacon and Hayes Valley Apartment youth, as well as the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). Most of these youth had never been to Green Gulch Farm, and it
- [July 20, 2013-Koshland Park & Garden Workday](https://www.communitygrows.org/july-20-2013-koshland-park-garden-workday) - 7.20.13 Kp Wkday Flyer by Barbara Wenger
- [Composting and Cleaning Supplies](https://www.communitygrows.org/composting-and-cleaning-supplies) - On Friday, June 28, 2013 the Buchanan YMCA youth got a lesson in composting and a reward afterwards of great smelling cleaners and hand soaps from Mrs. Meyer’s. Megan Sweeney, marketing ambassador for Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Products, worked with the youth to sift our “use-me” compost. Nora Brereton, Director of Programs at CommunityGrows talked
- [Camping with the BEETS in the Presidio!](https://www.communitygrows.org/camping-with-the-beets-in-the-presidio) - On Saturday, June 22, 2013, nine of CommunityGrows BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) went on their first camping trip. Armed with backpacks, warm clothes, sturdy shoes, a flashlight and toothbrushes, they hopped on a bus at 10 AM which took them into the wilderness, far from their neighborhood for a weekend of
- [Veggie Pizza with Hayward Rec Summer Program](https://www.communitygrows.org/veggie-pizza-with-hayward-rec-summer-program) - CommunityGrows Summer Program is well underway with cooking at Hayward Recreation Center. On Monday, June 17th, pizza was on the menu. Adrian Almquist led the group in making the dough for the pizzas, while Adrian Gaino, our Cooking Instructor kept the youth chopping away, slicing and dicing vegetables. Venyse Sims and Barbara Nguyen, two of
- [Mrs. Meyer's comes to Rosa Parks!](https://www.communitygrows.org/mrs-meyers-comes-to-rosa-parks) - The big lime green Mrs. Meyer’s van showed up at Rosa Parks Elementary School on Friday, June 14th, and out popped four ambassadors to help with our CommunityGrows Summer Science Program. They came because we won a grant from the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA), which promotes community gardening and greening across the United States
- [Pie and Ice Cream for Lisa](https://www.communitygrows.org/pie-and-ice-cream-for-lisa) - Strawberry Rhubarb Pie and Vanilla ice cream. Apricot Danish rings. Peach-Blueberry pie. Salted caramel and balsamic strawberry ice cream. What a way to send off someone we adore. Lisa Drogin said “good-bye” to CommunityGrows and the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) program on Thursday, June 11, 2013. Lisa has been the Program
- [Watering with the Summer Beacon in Koshland](https://www.communitygrows.org/watering-with-the-summer-beacon-in-koshland) - [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On June 12, 2013 the Summer Beacon youth came to Koshland Garden for their afternoon science fun. And what could be more fun than watering the garden. This is something that brings out the joy in youth. Filling water buckets, carrying them down the garden paths, tipping them, pouring water on the thirsty plants and
- [Summer 2013 BEETS get started!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-2013-beets-get-started) - On Tuesday, June 11th, twelve teens joined the first day of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) Program orientation. There were six returning teens and six new teens to round off the group. The day started at 12 noon with lots of paperwork and guideline reviews. Then an hour in the Daniel E.
- [Summer Science with the Buchanan YMCA](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-science-with-the-buchanan-ymca) - On Monday, June 10th, the staff of CommunityGrows began their summer science program with Buchanan YMCA youth at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Although it was 10 AM in the morning, everyone was wide awake, relaxed and ready to have some summer fun! After taking attendance and reading the garden rules, the kids had a chance
- [After School at Cobb Elementary Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/after-school-at-cobb-elementary-garden) - These last few days of the school year are so sunny, warm and joyful. Yesterday, May 29, 2013 for instance, brought everyone out after-school to the schoolyard for playing games, running, and working in the garden! William L. Cobb Elementary School, a K-5 San Francisco public school, has a great little garden just off the
- [Mrs. Jefferson's Kindergarden at Rosa Parks](https://www.communitygrows.org/mrs-jeffersons-kindergarden-at-rosa-parks) - Who could ask for a better day? Today, May 20, 2013 the Kinder-gardener’s in Ms. Jefferson’s class got a treat! Out to the garden in the morning to start the week at Rosa Parks! After a lesson in harvesting and identifying plants, everyone got to pick vegetables to take home to their families. Snap peas,
- [Yale Day of Service in Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/yale-day-of-service-in-koshland-park) - Who would have dreamed the day would turn out so beautiful? Blue skies and no wind or oppressive heat! The perfect combination for a workday in Koshland Park and Garden. To make it even better, today, May 11, 2013, was the Yale Day of Service and many Yale volunteers came to help out, along with
- [Berkeley's Edible Schoolyard hosts CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/berkeleys-edible-schoolyard-hosts-communitygrows) - Written by Adrian Almquist, CommunityGrows Garden Educator Photos from Edible Schoolyard past visit, as none were taken on the day of this event. On Thursday, May 2, 2013, the CommunityGrows staff went to visit the Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley, for a little inspiration, reflection, and exchange of ideas. Invited by Wendy Johnson, a longtime friend
- [Spring 2013 BEETS Graduate!](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-2013-beets-graduate) - On Tuesday, April 30th thirteen teens graduated from our Spring 2013 BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) Program. Two of them, Delvin Tobie Jr. and Shontay Vessell have gone through three sessions for a year-long internship. Other teens who finished the four-month Spring 2013 session are Serena Adams, Claudia Williams, Shayla Averett,Joseph Lilly,
- [Join Us this Saturday-May 11, 2013—Yale Day of Service in Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/may-workday-in-koshland-park-with-yale-alumni) - Join us this Saturday, May 11th for a Koshland Park and Garden Workday from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. We will be joined by a great group of Alumni from Yale University and our volunteers from Starbucks and the neighborhood. There will be weeding, planting, mulching, sweeping, pruning, picking up trash and making the park
- [UC Berkeley Partners with CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/uc-berkeley-partners-with-communitygrows) - The UC Berkeley IABC (International Association of Business Communicators), selected CommunityGrows as their group project this spring to assist us with our Communications Plan. A group of six women, all students at UC Berkeley, spent weeks researching the best ways for CommunityGrows to strengthen our outreach, both in social media, corporate partnerships, and talent management.
- [Rosa Parks Workday and Caterpillar](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-workday-and-caterpillar) - A great turnout for our Rosa Parks Workday on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Over forty volunteers from Starbucks joined many parents and friends of the garden to do spring gardening and cleaning. Another highlight of the day was placing tiles on the growing caterpillar that graces the wall around the Lower Garden. These tiles were
- [Seed Swap with Koshland Gardeners](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-swap-with-koshland-gardeners) - Tuesday evening April 16, 2013 Koshland garden members came together to swap seeds, show off their plots, ask questions and enjoy snacks and refreshments. Nora Brereton, Director of Programs for CommunityGrows, offered information about bugs and pests and how to take care of plantings. She shared a story about the youth from John Muir School
- [Bi-Rite Creamery for CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/bi-rite-creamery-for-communitygrows) - Bi-Rite Market and Creamery, operating out of their new store on Divisadero is featuring CommunityGrows in their creamery for the month of April, by collecting tips for us. If you’ve never been to Bi-Rite Grocery on 18th Street, or the new Divisadero Store, or you’ve never tasted their award-winning ice cream, you are in for
- [Birds Bees Flowers Trees](https://www.communitygrows.org/birds-bees-flowers-trees) - This afternoon, Thursday, April 11, 2013, lesson plans were the name of the game! Our current BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) tried out their lesson plans of birds, bees, flowers and trees. It involved weeks of gathering information and gearing their lessons to K-5 students they will soon be mentoring. Today was
- [Cooking with the San Francisco Foundation](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-with-the-san-francisco-foundation) - Today, Monday, April 8, 2013, our Seed to Mouth Cooking Class of CommunityGrows had three visitors from the San Francisco Foundation. Mark Cloutier, Program Director, Shalini Iyer, Community Health Program Fellow; and Emily Rosenberg, Program Assistant, all from the Public Policy, Community Health and Civic Engagement Initiative joined us to see the program in action.
- [Fillmore Farmers Market with Oasis for Girls!](https://www.communitygrows.org/fillmore-farmers-market-with-oasis-for-girls) - On Saturday, April 6, under cloudy skies and drizzle, eight BEETS joined seven young women from Oasis for Girls at the Fillmore Farmers Market for a day of learning and fun. Kicking off the day with an ice-breaker game to get to know each other, they then broke into groups and went on a scavenger
- [John Muir Teachers on Microscopes](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-teachers-on-microscopes) - On Tuesday, March 19th, 2013, CommunityGrows staff Nora Brereton and Adrian Almquist lead a professional development workshop on microscopes for John Muir Elementary School teachers. These microscopes were purchased for the garden/science program of CommunityGrows at John Muir School. Teachers received instruction on how to work with the microscopes for their students in K-5th grade.
- [Koshland Garden Workday and much more...](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-garden-workday-and-much-more) - On Saturday, March 16th, we had a great workday in Koshland Garden. CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist, Nora Brereton, Ezekiel McCarter and Barbara Wenger were joined by our fantastic Starbucks partners who came out in force and brought refreshments as well. Julien Lundh, one of our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) pitched in,
- [BEETS Expand Horizons at Skyline College](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-expand-horizons-at-skyline-college) - On Saturday, March 16th four female BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined Lisa Drogin, BEETS Coordinator, for a day at Skyline College in San Bruno. Jennifer Rodriguez, Julianna Echeverria, Sydni Walker and Shontay Vessell spent the day meeting women who use science and math in their careers, as well as women in
- [Workday at Rosa Parks with Stuart Hall School](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-at-rosa-parks-with-stuart-hall-school) - Rosa Parks Elementary School was visited by a wonderful group of seventeen young men from Stuart Hall High School on Friday, March 8, 2013. Stuart Hall is a college-preparatory high school located in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights district. Lead by a team of counselors, including Laurie Pomeranz and Amelia Sitter, the youth helped with the
- [Measuring with John Muir's 2nd Grade](https://www.communitygrows.org/measuring-with-john-muirs-2nd-grade) - On Tuesday, February 26th Ms. Page’s second grade came to the Koshland Garden to learn about measurements. With the help of garden educator Adrian Almquist, and BEET intern, Julien Lundh, each student took their rulers and began measuring everything. The length of logs, the width of flower beds, the height of bean sprouts, more objects
- [Rosa Parks Tiles for Garden Program](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-tiles-for-garden-program) - On Saturday, February 23, 2013 Rosa Parks Elementary School’s Green Team had another Tile Making Day to raise money for the garden project. Many families came out to paint a tile which will be added to our long caterpiller that graces the lower garden. Some of our BEETS joined the garden crew weeding and composting
- [Staff and Advisory Board Retreat](https://www.communitygrows.org/staff-and-advisory-board-retreat) - In February our CommunityGrows Advisory Board and Staff came together for a day-long retreat to work on our Strategic Plan. We were assisted by the great counsel of Frances Tompkins and Jason Salim from the LFA Group (Learning for Action). This group has been working with grantees of the S.D. Bechtel Foundation, of which CommunityGrows
- [Three Bean Salad](https://www.communitygrows.org/three-bean-salad) - Thanks to grants from Kaiser-Permanente and the YMCA, CommunityGrows has been able to expand our Seed to Mouth Cooking Classes at Hayward Recreation Center, as well as with the Western Addition Beacon Center at Hayes Valley South Community Room. Staff have been been teaching 65 youth to eat and cook healthy foods. They’ve also been
- [Cobb Elementary After-school Garden Classes!](https://www.communitygrows.org/cobb-elementary-after-school-garden-classes) - Thanks to our partners at the YMCA, we were able to add William L. Cobb Elementary School’s after-school program to our garden program. Adrian Almquist has been working there most Wednesday afternoons getting the site ready and mentoring a few young gardeners. Take a look:
- [Spring 2013 BEETS Cohort](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-beets-cohort) - Introducing the twelve BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) for Spring 2013 Cohort: RETURNING BEETS Shontay Vessell A referral from Westside Community Services Girls Group at Ida B. Wells High School, Shontay started BEETS mid-way through the Spring 2012 Session. Shontay has assisted with many CG Seed to Mouth Cooking classes during her
- [Thanks for your Support of CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/thanks-for-your-support-of-communitygrows) - Please consider donating to CommunityGrows to keep our wonderful programs going. We depend on your support. Thank you from everyone at CommunityGrows! Fall-2012 Appeal Ltr
- [Cornbread and Salad to end the Year!](https://www.communitygrows.org/cornbread-and-salad-to-end-the-year) - On Monday December 17th our Seed to Mouth Cooking Class had its last class of the year–cornbread and salad. After reviewing the rules of the class and washing hands, the kids helped Adrian Almquist, our garden educator, make cornbread from scratch. Everyone had a chance to measure and add ingredients, and then to grate carrots
- [African American Arts & Culture Complex Winter Carnival](https://www.communitygrows.org/african-american-arts-culture-complex-winter-carnival) - On Saturday December 15th the African American Arts & Culture Complex (AAACC) had a most amazing carnival. Thanks to London Breed, the Complex’s outgoing Executive Director and District 5’s new Supervisor at City Hall (congratulations London!), the AAACC’s parking lot became every kids’ outdoor holiday party. CommunityGrows has their administrative office at the AAACC and
- [BEETS Graduation-Fall 2012](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-graduation-fall-2012) - On Tuesday, December 11, 2012 the Fall BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) had a graduation ceremony at the Youth Center of Hayes Valley Apartments. Chyna Russell, Jamese Smith, Da’lyah Taylor, Antoinette Reggans, Raven Sisco, Shontay Vessell, Delvin Tobie, Hosanna Rubio, Serena Adams, and Claudia Williams were presented with awards and praises for
- [Fun Wreath Making at Hayes Valley Playground](https://www.communitygrows.org/fun-wreath-making-at-hayes-valley-playground) - On Saturday, December 8, 2012 CommunityGrows hosted our annual Wreath and Card Making Event at Hayes Valley Playground. Partners Trash MashUp joined us to make holiday ornaments. Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association and Frances Nealey helped us make holiday cards, and the YMCA Western Addition Beacon Center, Community Partners United, Magic Zone, Hayes Valley Housing and
- [Job Panel for the BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/job-panel-for-the-beets) - On Tuesday, December 4, 2012 seven professionals came to talk with the fall cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). They included Danise Sugita from Public Allies; Michele Palmer from Friends of the Urban Forest; Jeremy Siemers and Ashley from Starbucks; Brian Reyes—an environmental consultant/planner with the City; Ashley, from a neighborhood
- [Wreath and Card Making—December 8, 2012](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreath-and-card-making-december-8-2012) - Please join us on Saturday, December 8, 2012 for our Annual Wreath and Card Making Event. This year the event will be held at the Hayes Valley Playground, corner of Hayes and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. The time is 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. We will have branches and boughs to make wreaths, as
- [Thanksgiving at John Muir School](https://www.communitygrows.org/thanksgiving-at-john-muir-school) - CommunityGrows joined Community Partners United, the Western Addition Beacon Center, the Buchanan YMCA, and Mo’Magic to celebrate the 9th Annual Giving Voice to the Season Thanksgiving Dinner at John Muir Elementary School on Saturday, November 17th, 2012 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM. Many families and residents of the community participated. There were great musical
- [Redwood Trust and Starbucks Shine!](https://www.communitygrows.org/redwood-trust-day-in-koshland-garden) - CommunityGrows is very fortunate to have the support of the Redwood Trust Employee Foundation, a branch of the Marin Community Foundation, and the Starbucks Foundation. On Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 both groups brought out employees to work with the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) and community gardeners in Koshland Garden. We painted
- [BEETS Spruce Up the AIDS Memorial Grove](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-spruce-up-the-aids-memorial-grove) - Our CommunityGrows Fall 2012 BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) volunteered on Saturday, October 20th, 2012 from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a dedicated space in the national landscape where millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by
- [John Muir Schoolyard gets a Makeover!](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-schoolyard-gets-a-make-over) - Friday, October 19th, 2012 was a great milestone for John Muir Elementary School and CommunityGrows. John Muir School was CommunityGrows’ (formerly Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group) first partner back in 1994 when we started teaching the students science in Koshland Park and Garden a half block away. We have maintained a presence in the school
- [Rosa Parks BBQ Fun!](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-bbq-fun) - Saturday, September 22, 2012 was a fun back-to-school BBQ for families and friends of Rosa Parks Elementary School. Our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) helped out by leading the games: hula hoops, clothespin drops, bean-bag tosses, and jump rope. There was great food and lots of community to help start the new
- [Fall 2012 BEETS Cohort Begins](https://www.communitygrows.org/fall-2012-beets-cohort-begins) - On September 13, 2012 a new group of teen joined the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). During an orientation at the Hayes Valley Youth Center everyone put their thought down about the guiding principles of the BEETS, including respect, kindness, safety, responsibility and fun! After committing to these by signing their names
- [Starbucks and Washington HS joins Rosa Parks Workday!](https://www.communitygrows.org/starbucks-and-washington-hs-joins-rosa-parks-workday) - On Saturday, September 8th, 2012, Starbucks employees, and teens from Washington High School came out to help CommunityGrows get Rosa Parks Elementary School gardens ready for the fall semester. Lead by crew leader and Starbucks ambassador, Jeremy Siemens, the employees helped prune and glean the garden and get beds ready for planting. Washington High School
- [American Community Garden Association Visit](https://www.communitygrows.org/american-community-garden-association-visit) - On Saturday, August 11,2012, we had a workday at Koshland Park where we were honored to host the National Conference of the American Community Garden Association. Starbucks employees were there to support us with volunteers as they have many times throughout the year. Our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spoke about their
- [BEETS Summer 2012 Graduation](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-summer-2012-graduation) - On August 9, 2012 our twelve BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) completed their summer internship with CommunityGrows. They invited their families and friends as well as service provider to an award ceremony and luncheon at Koshland Park in San Francisco. These youth had an amazing summer with garden workdays at Koshland Garden,
- [National Night Out with Mayor Lee](https://www.communitygrows.org/national-night-out-with-mayor-lee) - August 7, 2012 was the 29th Annual National Night Out, a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Folks in the Western Addition came together at Ella Hill Hutch to celebrate all the good work the community has done to support the youth in our neighborhood. The BEETS (Band of
- [CommunityGrows to be Feature at the ACGA](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-to-be-feature-at-the-acga) - This coming Saturday, August 11th the American Community Garden Association (ACGA) will be in town in the midst of their four day national conference. They will be offering tours throughout the day Saturday, and one, “Youth Empowerment SF style,” will feature CommunityGrows! The tour will start at June Jordan Middle School (an Urban Sprouts site)
- [Roasted Pepper Marinara and Homemade Pasta](https://www.communitygrows.org/roasted-pepper-tomato-marinara-with-homemade-pasta) - We cook a lot at CommunityGrows. After all, there are a lot of vegetables in our gardens and the kids love to eat! So one Monday afternoon in July, Kennard Smith, a terrific personal chef, came back to help kids at Hayward Rec Center make roasted pepper tomato marinara and fresh pasta. Kennard currently works
- [BEETS Work the Hayward Rec Carnival](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-work-the-hayward-rec-carnival) - Cloudy skies did not deter the hundreds of youth who came out for fun on Friday, July 13, 2012 at the Hayward Recreation Center’s Carnival in San Francisco. Amidst the games, music, basketball, face-painting and food, our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined the crowd hosting a table to offer seed plantings
- [BEETS Host Teen Scholars from Around the Country](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-host-teen-scholars-from-around-the-country) - On Thursday, July 5, 2012, the BEETS hosted a group of youth from the Civic Education Project (CEP) of Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. CEP is a service-learning immersion program for outstanding middle and high school students from throughout the country. These youth participated in a Civic Week program in San Francisco, and visited
- [June Workday in Koshland Park-2012](https://www.communitygrows.org/june-workday-koshland-park-2012) - On June 30, 2012 we had a great workday in Koshland Park and Garden. A great turnout with Walden House folks and our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens), folks from Rosa Parks Elementary, and others checking us out for the very first time. Recreation and Park Department Gardener, Guy, had many youth
- [BEETS Go Camping!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-go-camping) - “I got to put up a tent. I got to make a fire. I’ve never done that before–I’m a City boy.”- Chris, 19 years old. On Saturday morning June 16, 2012, the BEETS embarked on a weekend camping trip. For most, it was their first time overnight in the outdoors. And believe it or not,
- [Summer Science Begins with Trips to Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-science-begins-trips-green-gulch-farm) - The summer is a busy time for CommunityGrows, working with twelve partner groups, taking their youth to our learning gardens and on field trips. We started the fun on June 22, 2012 with a trip to Green Gulch Farm in Marin County, with youth from the African American Arts and Culture Complex and the YMCA
- [Spring 2012 BEETS Adventures Galore](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-2012-beets-adventures-galore) - It was an exciting adventure for the BEETS this Spring, starting off with a visit to the California Academy of Sciences (blogged here). Then off to Recology on February 18th, with the following quotes from the BEETS: Quincy: “I enjoyed the first part when we met the dude with the jack rabbits and the helmets,
- [Seed, Water, Grow](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-water-grow) - On a pleasant afternoon in June, Nora Brereton took some of the Rosa Parks students into their upper garden to plant seeds, water and have fun. Everyone was thrilled to get involved. Water buckets for everyone. Sharing, planting and watching things grow. Kale, chard, potatoes, onions and mustard flowers — so many plants to learn
- [Koshland Gardeners Share Tips and Treasures](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-gardeners-share-tips-treasures) - We had a great turnout of gardeners for our May 8, 2012 meeting in Koshland Garden. Seasoned plot holders and new, mingled and got to know one another. After a tour of the garden and pointing out each others plots, garden protocols were discussed and there was sharing of herbs and vegetables. Some of the
- [Cooking with Ms. Gaino](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-ms-gaino) - We are happy to introduce Ms. Adrian Gaino, our cooking instructor. She has been cooking with us on staff for over two years, leading the classes every Monday afternoon at Hayward Recreation Center and during the summer at Hayes Valley South, with Adrian Almquist, CommunityGrows Garden Educator. Ms. Gaino has been a long time participant
- [Gleaning Greens and Chasing Chickens](https://www.communitygrows.org/gleaning-greens-chasing-chickens) - Spending time with kids in the garden can be so much fun! Take the after-school program at Booker T. Washington Community Service Center on April 12, 2012. This group of six kindergartners, busy clipping off leaves of kale, chard and spinach, were so enthusiastic and proud to share their knowledge and wonder of growing things.
- [John Muir Kindergartners Learn about Plants](https://www.communitygrows.org/john-muir-kindergarden-learn-plants) - On March 16th, Ms. Kalter’s kindergartners had a lesson about plants in Koshland Garden. The John Muir students were raptured by being outdoors, and learning about the garden. Elaine Walker, our garden educator, led the class with the assistance of Adrian Almquist, who would be taking her place on staff, when she leaves to do
- [Caterpillars and Salads at Rosa Parks Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/buzzin-rosa-parks-elementary-school) - We have been busy at Rosa Parks this year helping to build a mural in the lower garden with the help of parents and staff. The caterpillar included tiles painted by many families who donated to the PTA and garden project for the upcoming school year. On April 29th Starbucks elite, in town to celebrate
- [Koshland Workdays-February and April 2012](https://www.communitygrows.org/workdays-starbucks) - Over the past few months we have held a number of workdays with some of our partners, including Starbucks, Kaiser-Permanente, Walden House and International High School. Starbucks stars, Ali Mouabdy and Jeremy Siemers have recruited over 20 employes to help in a number of workdays. In February Sir Lawrence Delouvre came by to share his
- [Koshland Park and Garden Workday-April 14, 2012](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-workday-april-14-2012) - Come join us for a great day of exercise, fresh air and meeting new friends on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 11-2 PM in Koshland Park and Garden. This event is sponsored by our wonderful friends at Starbucks and Kaiser Permanente. Please come out and show your support! 4.14.12.KP Wkday Flyer
- [CA Academy of Sciences](https://www.communitygrows.org/ca-academy-of-sciences) - On January 28, 2012 the new 2012 spring cohort of the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent the day at the California Academy of Sciences. They started up on the living roof and had a tour by an academy docent, then took a quiz to find many flora and fauna living up
- [Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service](https://www.communitygrows.org/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service) - Great Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service on Monday January 16, 2012. Many volunteers met at the African American Arts and Culture Center, loaded Muni buses and traveled to various site around the Western Addition. Some great folks showed up to work in Koshland Park. We got the soil turned, weeding, and planting begun
- [Koshland Park & Garden Workday - February 11, 2012](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-garden-workday-february-11-2012) - Join us for a day of fun and exercise on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 11-2 PM in Koshland Park, corner of Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. This is always a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while meeting terrific people. Hope to see you there! Feb. 11, 2012 Koshland
- [Video of the 2011 BEETS Year!](https://www.communitygrows.org/video-of-the-2011-beets-year) - The BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) is an environmental education and green-jobs training program of CommunityGrows. The BEETS is a stipend training program serving 18-24 at-risk teens a year, aged 15 to 19, and is located in San Francisco, California. The program supports youth to: acquire a core set of job readiness
- [Wreath and Card Making for the Holidays](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreath-and-card-making-for-the-holidays) - On Saturday, December 10th from 1-4 PM the Hayes Valley South Apartments’ Community Room was buzzing with activity. Aside from the staff of CommunityGrows, the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) participated, and joined residents from the neighborhood. Special partners Trash Mash-Up (Bridget and Jessie McCracken), the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, and ten
- [Cooking for the Holidays!](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-for-the-holidays) - On Monday, December 12th, the youth from Hayward Recreation Center in San Francisco, joined CommunityGrows to bake Ginger Snaps for the holidays! It was a great afternoon with about ten youth getting a chance to prepare the ingredients, shape the dough and drop rounds on to baking sheets. While the cookies baked in the oven
- [CommunityGrows Garden Party Fund-A-Need](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-garden-party-fund-a-need) - On Saturday, October 15th we had a great Garden Party in Koshland Garden to raise money for our BEETS Program (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). Gabe Dominguez band (Shake Your Peace!) performed as well as Diana Gameros, a favorite San Francisco singer/songwriter. Diana mostly performs traditional Latin music but in her own modern,
- [Koshland Park and Garden Workday-November 12, 2011](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-workday-november-12-2011) - We will have a workday in Koshland Park and Garden on Saturday, November 12th from 10 AM to 1 PM. It will be a great day for weeding, planting, sweeping, pruning, picking up trash, and making the park and garden shine. Please were layered, comfortable workclothes and closed-toed shoes. Bring your own water; juice and
- [Mr. Tamsky's 5th Grade Class from John Muir!](https://www.communitygrows.org/mr-tamskys-5th-grade-class-from-john-muir) - On October 11, 2011 Mr. Tamsky’s 5th grade class from John Muir Elementary School did their science lesson in the garden learning about water conservation and seed planting. They talked about ratios of salt water to drinking water, and why clean water is important. They discussed ideas for water conservation and how they can recycle
- [BEETS Building the Hayward Rec Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-buiding-the-hayward-rec-garden) - On October 11, 2011 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) began designing a new, more permanent garden at Hayward Recreation Center. They decided how it should look and what measurements were need to put it together. A great sense of pride to design this project on their own.
- [BEETS Tending the Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-tending-the-koshland-garden) - The fall BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) have been busy tending and building new gardens throughout the Western Addition. In Koshland Garden they readied the soil for planting of fava beans, and dug up the summer crop of Jerusalem artichokes.
- [BEETS-Presidio Restoration Project](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-presidio-restoration-project) - On Saturday, October 1st the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) joined the Presidio Trust rangers for a morning of removing invasive species around Mountain Lake Park. The area getting the makeover will become the habitat for the endangered San Francisco Lessingia, which is a rare flowering plant in the daisy family.
- [A Lesson in Soil Testing](https://www.communitygrows.org/a-lesson-in-soil-testing) - On September 28, 2011 our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) learned about soil testing from BEETS volunteer,advisory board member, and SFSU Environmental Studies student, Jason Boarde. A soil test is a process by which elements (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, manganese, copper and zinc) are chemically removed from the soil and
- [Rosa Parks Fundraiser highlights gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-fundraiser-highlights-gardens) - On September 24th Rosa Parks was a flurry of excitement. It seemed like every student and their parents came out for a great day of activities to support the school. There were games, crafts, items for sale, a raffle, fantastic BBQ and lots of fun for all. The event happened in the Rosa Parks first
- [September 17th Koshland Workday with BEETS and Starbucks!](https://www.communitygrows.org/september-17th-koshland-workday-with-beets-and-starbucks) - Another great workday in Koshland Park and Garden happened on September 17, 2011. It was the first workday for our Fall cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). The great surprise was that one of our terrific sponsors, Starbucks (shown above), showed up in force to help us weed and get the
- [Meet our Fall 2011 BEETS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/meet-our-fall-2011-beets) - On September 13th we welcomed our new fall BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). Three youth stayed on from the summer: Anija Gaino, Lyric Lewis and Ezekikel McCarter. Our new additions are: Chris Collier, Jasmine Dean, Erika Espinosa, Mayra Fuentes, Dwayne Hodges, Shawnee Johnson, and Richard Lopez. A great group of youth leaders!
- [Koshland Park and Garden Workday-Saturday, September 17th](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-workday-saturday-september-17th) - Please join us for a great day outdoors in the fresh air, getting some exercise and making our home based park and garden shine. We will be weeding, planting, sweeping, pruning, and picking up trash. Koshland Park is located on the corner of Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. The garden is down the
- [Rosa Parks Workday—two hour transformation!](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-workday-two-hour-transformation) - On Saturday, August 27th the Rosa Parks Elementary School was the scene of an amazing two-hour transformation of its new upper garden. The PTA, joined by parents and children, CommunityGrows staff and a great group of volunteers came out to roll up their sleeves and show the love. Under grey skies and cool temperatures everyone
- [Summer 2011 BEETS Celebration](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-2011-beets-celebration) - Thursday, August 10th was the final day of the BEETS Summer session. Teens began the day by preparing a feast of pasta with a fresh vegetable sauce, including tomatoes, broccoli, onions, garlic; a salad with peppers, lettuce, baby tomatoes, cucumbers; and two berry and peaches pies. Jamie Tahaja, one of our volunteers, did yoga with
- [Summer Trip to Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-trip-to-green-gulch-farm) - On Thursday, August 4,2011 the BEETS (band of environmentally educated and employable teens) joined the youth from Booker T. Washington Community Service Center for a trip to Green Gulch Farm in Marin County. As the day progressed, fog turned into sunshine as youth wandered through the farm soaking up the fresh air and great outdoors.
- [Summer Newsletter of CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-newsletter-of-communitygrows) - This is a tile done by a youth of CommunityGrows on the Western Addition Peace Wall at the Daniel E. Koshland Community Park and Learning Garden, corner of Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. You are welcome to click on and download our summer CommunityGrows Summer Newsletter here: July2011 Newsletter Single Pages 8
- [BEETS Fall Green Job Training Program starting soon!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-fall-green-job-training-program-starting-soon) - Applications are here for youth 15-19 years old to join us this fall for our green jobs training program, the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens). Deadline for applications is Monday, August 22nd at 5:00 PM. The fall program will go from September 12-December 10th. Times will be Tuesdays and Thursdays in the
- [Western Addition Newspaper highlights CommunityGrows!](https://www.communitygrows.org/western-addition-newsletter-highlights-communitygrows) - Great article appeared in the Western Addition Newspaper this month about Koshland Park and the summer programs at CommunityGrows. The best part was hearing what the youth had to say about the programs, especially the BEETS and the African American Arts & Culture Complex youth who came to the cooking classes at Hayes Valley South.
- [Save the Date: Fall Garden Party](https://www.communitygrows.org/save-the-date-fall-garden-party) - Event registration powered by Eventbrite Save the Date for our annual Fall Garden Party Benefit to fund the BEETS Program on Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2011 from 1-4 PM in Koshland Park Garden, corner of Page and Buchanan Streets in San Francisco. Click on our invitation and sign up now! We hope that you’ll step
- [Cooking with Kennard Smith from Firefly Restaurant](https://www.communitygrows.org/cooking-with-kennard-smith-from-firefly-restaurant) - On Thursday afternoon our last summer CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth cooking class at Hayes Valley South community room, featured Kennard Smith, chef from Firefly Restaurant in San Francisco. Chef Smith brought his friend Nathan Serrano, food truck chef with Off-the-Grid, to prepare Chinese dumplings with the students. Youth from the African American Arts and Culture Complex summer
- [BEETS build new garden at the African American Arts and Culture Complex](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-build-new-garden-at-the-african-american-arts-and-culture-complex) - On July 21st and July 26th the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) built a garden at the African American Arts and Culture Complex on Fulton Street. Everyone had a sense of accomplishment as the weeds were uprooted, lumber measured and laid out, and soil and compost mixed in. This native garden will
- [Introducing the Summer BEETS!](https://www.communitygrows.org/introducing-the-summer-beets) - On Tuesday, June 14, 2011 our new BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) Program began with eight new recruits. All youth from 15-19 years of age live in or have connections to the Western Addition of San Francisco. The summer cycle of this group of BEETS will end August 11, 2011. The BEETS
- [Summer Science Program in Full Swing](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-science-program-in-full-swing) - Many of our summer programs are happening in Koshland Garden. In addition to being the home-base of CommunityGrows and the BEETS, Koshland Garden has weekly groups from the Western Addition and the Mo’Magic collaborative, who stop by to learn about gardening, composting, bugs, plants, and the environment. Some of these groups are: the Village Project
- [Summer Cooking Heats Up!](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-cooking-heats-up) - CommunityGrows Seed-to-Mouth Cooking is turning up the heat this summer with two sites and lots of great healthy eating and learning! What a shock to come in on the end of the session and see everyone piling their plates high with salads and fixins’ of vegetables from the garden. Six weeks this summer at Hayes
- [CommunityGrows is Growing!](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-is-growing) - CommunityGrows has been growing. This is a photo of some of our staff, spring volunteers, and board members at our Spring Volunteer recognition BBQ in Koshland Park. Over the past few months we’ve gone from two employees to five. This summer we have seven interns who are helping with our summer programs. Our new employees
- [Koshland Park and Garden Workdays-Yale and BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-workdays-yale-and-beets) - Lots has been going on this summer in Koshland Park and Garden. On Saturday, April 14th we hosted Yale Alumni Day. Over thirty volunteers came out to help us clean the park and garden. An awesome bunch of really great and fun folks! We had another workday on July 9th and volunteers had the opportunity
- [Koshland Park & Garden Workday-July 9, 2011](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-garden-workday-july-9-2011) - Join us for a great summer day in Koshland Park and Garden on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. We will be working with the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) in our CommunityGrows Program. It will be a terrific day to get some exercise, fresh air, and meet
- [Green Jobs Teen Internships Deadline-May 27th](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets-applications-available) - BEETS is a green job training program for 15-19 year olds, primarily living in the Western Addition of San Francisco. The program provides structured internships and occupational training, for young people with barriers to employment, through a variety of workshops, field trips, and hands-on experiences. Attend workshops on Resume Building, Interviewing, Cover Letter Writing, and
- [Now Recruiting Garden Educator for Summer](https://www.communitygrows.org/now-recruiting-garden-educator-for-summer) - One of our terrific Garden Educators is going off to teach in South Korea and we need to replace her ASAP. We hope to have some one in this position by the first week in June 2011. We’ve enclosed the job description here. As a garden educator, the candidate would be responsible for planning and
- [CommunityGrows Rebuilds with Rosa Parks School](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-rebuilds-with-rosa-parks-school) - On Saturday April 30, 2011 CommunityGrows worked with Rosa Parks Elementary School and PTA, and Rebuild Together to transform two huge garden spaces on the school property. Nora Brereton, Programs Manager worked with other leaders to move asphalt, soil, debris, and plants. Over 60 volunteers came to spend the day from 8:30 AM til 4:00
- [Koshland Park and Garden Workday-5.14.11](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-workday-5-14-11) - Please join us this coming Saturday, May 14, 2011 for a workday in our home-based park and garden, Koshland Park. We will be working from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM weeding, planting, sweeping, pruning, picking up trash, mulching and making the park and garden shine. Please wear layered, comfortable workclothes and closed-toed shoes. Juice and
- [Rebuilding Together at Rosa Parks-April 30th](https://www.communitygrows.org/rebuilding-together-at-rosa-parks-april-30th) - Great Volunteer opportunity for large groups and small. We hope you can mark this on your calendars, invite your friends and come out for a great day to help build another garden at beautiful Rosa Parks Elementary School in San Francisco, California! Bring your filled water bottles and we will provide the rest. Wear comfortable
- [Workday at Westside Courts-Saturday, April 2, 2011](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-at-westside-courts-saturday-april-2-2011) - Join us for another great workday at Westside Courts in San Francisco. The workday will start at 10:00 A.M. and go to 1:00 P.M. Westside Courts is located between Broderick, Baker, Post and Sutter Streets in San Francisco. Lunch and refreshments will be available, so come on out for a great day of exercise and
- [March 12, 2011 Koshland Park and Garden Workday Success](https://www.communitygrows.org/march-12-2011-koshland-park-and-garden-workday-success) - [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Saturday, March 12th the rain clouds parted and great sunshine filled the skies over Koshland Park for a garden/park work day sponsored by Starbucks Coffee and Kaiser-Permanente. Over thirty volunteers joined us, including many big wigs from the Northern California Starbucks offices, to help us take four truck-loads of green debris out of the
- [After-School Youth Grow Garden at Booker T. Washington Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/after-school-youth-grow-garden-at-booker-t-washington-center) - [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University of San Francisco Interns have been hard at work getting the Booker T. Washington garden together for the after-school students to enjoy. (See previous post). CommunityGrows has been helping them fix up the chicken shed, get planter beds in order, erect fences and stake bean poles. On March 3, 2011 the kids came
- [Chinese Dumplings](https://www.communitygrows.org/chinese-dumplings) - On March 7, 2011 the youth at Hayward Recreation Center joined the weekly Monday cooking classes to make Chinese Dumplings. Lead by amazing volunteer, Grace Ting, who lives in the neighborhood, and after-school garden coordinator, Ashante Smith, youth chopped and prepared vegetables for the dumplings. Then with round won ton wrappers, they added some of
- [Martin Luther King Service Day at Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/martin-luther-king-service-day-at-koshland-park) - On Monday, January 17, 2011 to celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday, a group of great volunteers came to Koshalnd Park for a day of service. They helped us turn compost, weed and remove ivy. It was in the true spirit of giving back to the community. Thank you for the great work!
- [Sunny Day at Westside Courts](https://www.communitygrows.org/sunny-day-at-westside-courts) - Saturday, March 5, 2011 the rain clouds parted and a clear blue skies graced our workday at Westside Courts in San Francisco. Community Grows joined residents and youth to work on various plots throughout the development that were started back in November. There was lots of weeding, digging, mulching and socializing! A great turn out,
- [Koshland Park and Garden Workday-March 12, 2011](https://www.communitygrows.org/koshland-park-and-garden-workday-march-12-2011) - 3.12.11.KP Wkday Flyer
- [Westside Court Workday-March 5th](https://www.communitygrows.org/westside-court-workday-march-5th) - We’re having our fourth workday at Westside Courts on Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Details below…3.5.11-Westside_Wkday_Flyer
- [Booker T. Washington Community Service Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/booker-t-washington-community-service-center) - Last month Nora Brereton began working with students from the University of San Francisco Environmental Studies class to bring a great garden space to life at the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center (BTWCSC), 800 Presidio Ave, in San Francisco. USF has an Environmental Studies (ENVA) capstone course designed as a service-learning course that involves
- [Rosa Parks Elementary Garden Classes](https://www.communitygrows.org/rosa-parks-elementary-garden-classes) - CommunityGrows has been assisting Rosa Parks Elementary School with their new garden education program which started up this fall 2010. Nora Brereton, Programs Manager and Environmental Educator, has been working with teachers, students, staff and the PTA to help get the garden spaces up and running and lead the science content outdoor garden classes on
- [CommunityGrows on NEN!](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-on-nen) - Neighborhood Empowerment Network, (NEN) a collaboration of community and non-profit organizations, city agencies, and academic institutions, empowers neighborhoods to become cleaner, greener, healthier, and more inclusive places to live and work. They have partnered with CommunityGrows and our BEETS Program in 2008, and recently asked us to speak on a panel about Creating School and
- [Welcome Adrian and Clidell!](https://www.communitygrows.org/welcome-adrian-and-clidell) - We are very excited to share with you the addition of Adrian Gaino and Clidell Jackson III to our staff. Adrian is heading up the Seed-to-Mouth Cooking Classes on Mondays at Hayward Recreation Center. Clidell is our after-school environmental educator who leads all our CommunityGrows after-school programs. Adrian has been volunteering with us for over
- [Wreath & Card Making Fun!](https://www.communitygrows.org/wreath-card-making-fun) - On Saturday, December 11, 2010 CommunityGrows sponsored the annual wreath and card making event at the Youth Center of Hayes Valley South Apartments. Frames, boughs, babbles, trinkets and ribbons were available to create wreaths for residents and food basket recipients. Stamps, stickers and crayons allowed folks to turn out some amazing holiday cards. Around 30
- [Hayward Cooking Classes Begin](https://www.communitygrows.org/hayward-cooking-classes-begin) - In October 2010 CommunityGrows began a year-long Seed-to-Mouth cooking program at Margaret Hayward Recreation Center, Monday afternoons from 4-6 PM. The students who come for the after-school programs have been making great food every week and learning about nutrition. Some of the menus have been vegetable soup with biscuits, sushi, and tortillas with salsa and
- [Westside Courts begins Gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/westside-courts-begins-gardens) - On Saturday, November 13,2010 CommunityGrows joined over 25 residents and volunteers at Westside Courts in San Francisco (bordered by Sutter, Broderick, Baker and Post Streets) to start some gardens. There are many areas throughout the development that are ideal for planting, and we started tackling them one at a time. The weather was perfect for
- [Halloween at Hayes Valley Apartments](https://www.communitygrows.org/halloween-at-hayes-valley-apartments) - CommunityGrows joined other partners to celebrate Halloween at Hayes Valley Apartments on Saturday, October 31, 2010. Great costumes by the residents. Lots of fun for the adults. CommunityGrows set up a barbecue outside the community room and we roasted marshmallows for smores. Um-mm… delicious! To see more photos, go to CommunityGrows Flickr Page.
- [CommunityGrows Garden Party Fundraiser Success!](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-garden-party-fundraiser-success) - [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Saturday October 16th, 2010, CommunityGrows had their fall fundraiser in the Koshland Park Community Learning Garden. We started the day with Jacob Moffet (joined by his daughter Jasmine) and Max Van der Sterre helping us pole and string lanterns throughout the garden and erect flags on the wall of the garden on Page Street.
- [CommunityGrows Fundraiser on October 16, 2010](https://www.communitygrows.org/communitygrows-fundraiser-on-october-16-2010) - Please join us for a great party on October 16th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Koshland Park Garden in San Francisco. This outdoor garden fundraiser for CommunityGrows will showcase our programs and the great work we are doing. There will be live music, delicious local food, performances by the youth we serve,
- [Koshland Workday-Starbucks-September 18, 2010](https://www.communitygrows.org/upcoming-workday-on-september-16-2010) - We had a great workday on Saturday, September 18th thanks to Starbucks and many other volunteers. The day started by finding a bird’s nest. We had delicious coffee and bagels and got busy trimming, moving compost, painting and getting the beds ready for fall planting. Thank you for a great day! 9.18.10 Koshland Park and
- [Alemany Farm with Buchanan YMCA](https://www.communitygrows.org/alemany-farm-with-buchanan-ymca) - On Friday, July 30th CommunityGrows lead a field trip for the Buchanan YMCA to Alemany Farm in San Francisco. Alemany Farm is a 4.5 acre working organic farm in southeastern San Francisco. The Farm is collaboratively managed by volunteers, San Francisco city officials, and residents of the Alemany community. Friends of Alemany Farm (FoAF) is
- [Prince Hall to Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/prince-hall-to-green-gulch-farm) - On Friday July 26, 2010 CommunityGrows organized a second summer field trip to Green Gulch Farm, thanks to our partnership with Mo’Magic and Prince Hall Learning Center on Fillmore Street. About forty youth from six to eighteen years of age, boarded a bus and headed out to a foggy summer day at the farm. We
- [VIPs to Koshland Garden-Summer 2010](https://www.communitygrows.org/vips-to-koshland-garden-summer-2010) - This summer Koshland Garden was host to many VIPs including Jared Blumenfeld and Keith Takata from the Region 9 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Blumenfeld is currently the Regional Administrator for EPA’s Region 9. This region encompasses California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and over 140 Tribal Nations. He spent eight years as the
- [Weeding and Seeding with the afterschool Beacon](https://www.communitygrows.org/weeding-and-seeding) - On May 20, 2010 the Western Addition Beacon after school youth weeded out their plots and dug for worms, as well as gathered seeds from vegetables that had run their course. Imagine our surprise when we uncover delicious potatoes! Lina Ortiz joined us for the afternoon and then went off to visit her family in
- [Handful Players Rehearse in Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/handful-players-rehearse-in-koshland-garden) - On Thursday, April 8, 2010, the Handful Players came to Koshland Garden to rehearse their upcoming play by Eugenie Chan entitled Rainbow in Your Corner. The play highlights how the children of San Francisco’s Western Addition community meet the legendary John Muir and discover and learn to preserve the natural beauty of the neighborhood; the
- [New Facebook Page for CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/new-facebook-page-for-communitygrows) - CommunityGrows now has a Facebook page! There will be updates on the latest events and news regarding CommunityGrows. In addition, there will be photos posted to the wall from the latest garden workshops and other related events. Feel free to like us on Facebook and invite your friends and family to join as well. Thanks!
- [Down-Home Workday in Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/down-home-workday-in-koshland-park) - We had a very friendly neighborhood workday this past Saturday. Many residents and families from Hayes Valley Apartments joined us to move a mountain of wood chip and transport native plants from the John Muir School front garden. Some of the morning crew, including Freddie from the Recreation and Park Department and Megan Schufreider, Manager
- [Workday this Saturday, February 20, 2010](https://www.communitygrows.org/workday-this-saturday-february-20-2010) - Come show some love to your neighborhood park and garden. We will be transplanting native plants, mulching, pruning, weeding, planting, and more! Snacks will be provided. Let your friends and family know about the upcoming event. For example, you can let them know about it on Facebook or Twitter. I appreciate it a lot! See
- [Holiday Wreath & Card Making-12.12.09](https://www.communitygrows.org/holiday-wreath-card-making-12-12-09) - CommunityGrows organized a Wreath and Card Making Event, with local partners, including Community Partners United, Hayes Valley Association and Trash Mash Up on a rainy Saturday in December. We had over 45 participants including many residents from Hayes Valley Apartments and a great team of volunteers from BuildOn organization! Thank you for a great day!
- [Thanksgiving Event at John Muir Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/thanksgiving-event-at-john-muir-elementary-school-november-21-2009) - CommmunityGrows joined many partners, including MoMagic and Community Partners United to celebrate Thanksgiving with the neighborhood at John Muir Elemetary School. Here are some photos from the event. Ms. Welch, Nora Brereton and Ms. Brown: Three Angels Dancing: Our New Northern Station Captain, Ann Mannix and daughters Lauren and Kate: Camilla Dawkins and Liz Jackson
- [A CommunityGrows in San Franciscio](https://www.communitygrows.org/a-communitygrows-in-san-franciscio) - Check out Maureen Futtner’s article in the San Francisco Examiner on November 19, 2009: A community grows in San Francisco Excerpt: Continuing our monthly feature profiling an emerging San Francisco nonprofit, following is a Q&A with Barbara Wenger of Community Grows (formerly Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group). If your organization is interested in being featured,
- [New Intern Meredith Bunyard and November Workday a Great Success!](https://www.communitygrows.org/new-intern-meredith-bunyard-and-november-workday-a-great-success) - CommunityGrows is very honored to have Meredith Bunyard, a wonderful intern from San Francisco State University helping us in the garden this semester. She is an Environmental Studies major, with a concentration in Social Justice and Sustainability. We love all the great energy and knowledge she has brought to the garden and our programs. Thank
- [October Fun](https://www.communitygrows.org/october-fun) - Our cameras were in the garden afterschool with the YMCA Beacon Kids who come twice a week. The lesson was worms and composting. Collecting worms and sifting compost. It was a most exciting time! Then all of a sudden…. it was Halloween. We roasted marshmellows for s’mores at Hayes Valley South with the neighborhood groups
- [New Herb Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/new-herb-garden) - Thanks to the dreams of Nora, Barbara and Arif, and the hard work of contractor Peter van der Sterre, we now have a beautiful seating area where our herb garden is planted. The seating is large enough to accommodate a class of John Muir School students and is in the sunniest part of the garden.
- [NORA'S BACK!!](https://www.communitygrows.org/noras-back) - We are SO HAPPY to have Nora Brereton back in the garden and totally recovered from her hiking accident three months ago. WELCOME BACK! We really missed you! She is the brains behind our Programs and does an amazing job networking and building community. One of her first orders of business was to have a
- [Summer 2009 Highlights](https://www.communitygrows.org/summer-2009-highlights) - • Our May Celebration,announcing our new name, mission and great award from GreatNonProfits was a hugh success. Our CommunityGrows board joined us with YMCA folks and Val Brown from Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi’s office. Also our wonderful long-time friend, Sissy Geballe and her grandson Dan and his wife Linda joined us. A terrific day! • First
- [Spring Celebration in Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/spring-celebration-in-koshland-park) - Join us this Saturday, May 30th, 2009 for a day of garden work and play, and to celebrate the Hayes Valley Neighborhood PARKS Group’s transformation: A new name (Community Grows!) and a Great NonProfits Award! Garden Workday 10-1 PM Celebration/BBQ 1-3 PM Movies in the Park 8:30 PM Location: Koshland Park (corner of Page and
- [Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group Declared Winner!!!](https://www.communitygrows.org/hayes-valley-neighborhood-parks-group-declared-winner) - Grassroots Environmental Nonprofits, Not Large, Well-Known Groups, Get Highest Ratings Green Choice Awards Publishes First Ever List of Best Environmental Nonprofits Menlo Park, Calif. — April 30, 2009 —Grassroots organizations get top votes for best environmental nonprofits, according to GreatNonprofits’ 2009 Green Choice Awards. The contest, held during Earth Month in April, asked people to
- [BEET Ranger Graduation!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-ranger-graduation) - Today we said farewell to the BEET Rangers! It was bittersweet, of course. We will miss them, but we are so proud to see them complete this program and move on to new and exciting paths in their lives! Modern Tea hosted us for a celebration dessert buffet, with cakes, cookies, sparkling apple cider and
- [BEET Rangers at Academy of Sciences!](https://www.communitygrows.org/beet-rangers-at-academy-of-sciences) - Today the BEET Rangers got a special treat, as our near-end-of-program celebration! They have been working so hard, and today was a day to celebrate and enjoy at the new Academy of Sciences! The new building is pretty amazing. It was super crowded, but we were able to weave our way through to enjoy the
- [October Garden Newsletter](https://www.communitygrows.org/october-garden-newsletter) - October 2008 Newsletter Content: 1. Koshland Plans and Planting 2. BEET Rangers and Green Jobs Now! 3. Harvest Festival Celebration! 4. Zuchinni Bread Recipe —————————— —————————————– 1. KOSHLAND GARDEN: PLANS AND PLANTING Fall is approaching, and although the days are warm, the nights are getting longer and cooler. The BEET Rangers have helped us prepare

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.communitygrows.org/) - Planting seeds, co-powering youth Latest News Cultivating healthy youth through growing gardens in low-income, diverse communities Our vision is that all youth are able to benefit from the joy and healing of nature-based outdoor education, and develop the tools, confidence and resources to navigate and challenge structural injustices. Our ProgramsLearn more about our programs which
- [GIVE](https://www.communitygrows.org/donate) - Give We express our deepest gratitude for your ongoing commitment to CommunityGrows. Your support is the bedrock upon which our community thrives, and we invite you to continue this journey of growth and empowerment with us. With your generous support, we can continue to plant the seeds of positive change in the hearts and minds
- [BEETs](https://www.communitygrows.org/beets) - BEETs About the Program Overview The Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens is a paid fellowship and hands-on learning experience in which youth gain job skills through learning about environmental justice and gardening with a small group of peers.BEETs 2026 Spring Fellowship Applications Are LIVE!Ready to grow your leadership skills and make an impact
- [Our Team](https://www.communitygrows.org/our-team) - Meet our Team Looking to get in touch? For general inquiries, please email info@communitygrows.org. For more specific questions, please select the staff member that most closely matches your inquiry below. Claribette Del RosarioExecutive Director (she/her) claribette@communitygrows.org With over a decade of professional experience in the social services field, Claribette is deeply passionate about program development,
- [GivingTuesday 2025](https://www.communitygrows.org/givingtuesday-2025) - It’s Giving Season! Join Us for GivingTuesday – the Global Day of Giving on December 2nd, 2025On December 2nd, 2025, individuals from across the globe will unite to harness the strength of human connections, bolster communities, and drive positive change in our world. Will you join us in this endeavor? Be part of our Giving
- [Join Our Team](https://www.communitygrows.org/join-our-team) - Ways to Join our Team Job Openings We are seeking staff members who have a genuine passion for teaching and nutritious eating and wants to work creatively as a part of a passionate team. Applications received by Sunday, September 14th at 5pm PST, will be prioritized for review, although we will keep the positions open until
- [Partners](https://www.communitygrows.org/partners) - Partners Through the support and generosity of our partners, we work together towards our collectivevision of a strong and healthy community Program Partners Supporters This list reflects our partners as of March 2025.
- [Volunteer with Us: Individual Volunteer Opportunities](https://www.communitygrows.org/volunteer-individual) - Volunteer with Us: Individual Volunteer Opportunities Rotating Volunteer Work Days Check out the calendar below for opportunities to volunteer in our garden spaces!We can only host 15 volunteers per work day, so make sure to RSVP by opening up the event details and selecting the link provided. If you have any questions, they can be directed
- [Events](https://www.communitygrows.org/events) - Events Event Details
- [Volunteer with Us: Group & Corporate Workdays](https://www.communitygrows.org/volunteer-workdays) - Volunteer with Us: Group & Corporate Workdays Volunteer groups play an important role in supporting our educators, our students, our programming, and our mission. During a team workday, groups of 5-15 people will help to maintain and beautify the garden sites with the support of the CommunityGrows team. Groups will take part in a teambuilding
- [Shop](https://www.communitygrows.org/shop)
- [Contact](https://www.communitygrows.org/contact) - Contact Us Have a question about CommunityGrows, our programs, or how to get involved? We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how you can get in touch with us: Phone: 415-795-3855Mailing Address: 380 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94117Email: info@communitygrows.orgFor more ways to stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on instagram @communitygrows
- [History](https://www.communitygrows.org/history) - History Learn more about the history and evolution of CommunityGrows - from neighborhood activism in the 70s, to the creation of Koshland Community Park and Learning Garden, all the way to our current programming. Learn MoreRead the full story belowWritten by founder Barb Wenger in 2017
- [Our Impact](https://www.communitygrows.org/our-impact) - Our Impact in the garden, students learn a variety of lifelong skills Alongside academic growth, our garden and cooking classes are a place for youth to experience the social-emotional benefits of engaging with nature, develop their innate curiosity, and learn to become scientific thinkers. Growth Opportunities with Leadership Crew BEETs who return to the program for
- [Environmental Education](https://www.communitygrows.org/environmental-education) - Environmental Education About the Program Overview The Environmental Education program connects elementary-age students with the natural world through hands-on experiences in outdoor learning gardens. Learn More CommunityGrows uses an inquiry-based teaching style that fosters emergent learning throughout our in-school and outside-of-school classes. In each garden, students practice expressing curiosity, tending to the earth, recognizing plants
- [Seed to Mouth](https://www.communitygrows.org/seed-to-mouth) - Seed to Mouth About the Program Overview The Seed to Mouth Cooking and Nutrition classes promote healthy eating habits and enhance food sovereignty through hands-on cooking guidance and culturally relevant food education. Learn More The Seed to Mouth Program provides weekly after school cooking lessons at our three partner sites. We serve students in kindergarten
- [Our Work](https://www.communitygrows.org/our-work) - Our Work CommunityGrows’ youth development programs provide a continuum of garden-based, hands-on environmental and health education programs at no cost to participants. Our curriculum focuses on environmental and garden lessons, nutrition education, civic involvement, leadership development, and job training for neighborhood youth. Seed to Mouth Encouraging healthy eating and food sovereignty through afterschool cooking classes
- [Giving Tuesday 2023](https://www.communitygrows.org/givingtuesday) - Join Us for GivingTuesday – the Global Day of Giving on Nov 28, 2023On November 28, 2023, individuals from across the globe will unite to harness the strength of human connections, bolster communities, and drive positive change in our world. Will you join us in this endeavor? Be part of our Giving Tuesday campaign and
- [Mission, Vision, & Values](https://www.communitygrows.org/mission-vision-values) - Mission, Vision, & Values Our mission is to cultivate healthy youth through growing gardens in low-income, diverse communities Our vision is that all youth are able to benefit from the joy and healing of nature-based outdoor education, and develop the tools, confidence and resources to navigate and challenge structural injustices. Land Acknowledgement We acknowledge that
- [Giving Tuesday 2022](https://www.communitygrows.org/home/givingtuesday2022) - Nurturing our roots, youth, gardens, bodies, communities “You can’t force a plant to grow but you can support a healthy environment for the plant to grow in.”-Kunal Palawat, BEETs Program Manager Progress Bar 0% Help us raise $20,000 this #GivingTuesday! Your generous contributions will allow us to continue delivering stellar garden education programs and nurturing
- [News](https://www.communitygrows.org/blog) - News & Blog
- [Activity Book Fundraiser](https://www.communitygrows.org/activity-book) - During the 2020 pandemic, our team worked to create more digital resources for our students as they quarantined at home. Now that we are no longer in lockdown, we would love our supporters to have access to our very own CommunityGrows Activity Book. Composed of coloring pages, word searches, and recipes you and your child
- [Feedback](https://www.communitygrows.org/feedback) - We Would Love to Hear from You! Have a question about CommunityGrows, our programs, or how to get involved? We’d love to hear from you! We are reaching out to our donors and supporters for feedback on your experiences with us in the past and what that could look like in the future! You can
- [Giving Tuesday 2021](https://www.communitygrows.org/givingtuesday2021) - To me, community means a feeling of togetherness, forming relationships and connections, being supportive of one another This #GivingTuesday,You Can Help Strengthen our Programs! Progress Bar 0% Help us raise $3500 this #GivingTuesday! What Does Community Mean to You? CommunityGrows' Values At CommunityGrows, our values are very important to us. We consider these values very
- [Tote 2021 Fundraiser](https://www.communitygrows.org/tote) - Summer 2021 Fundraiser No donations are accepted at this time
- [Volunteer Workday Tips](https://www.communitygrows.org/volunteer-workday-tips) - Volunteer Workday Tips Garden projects range from low to moderate labor intensity. There are usually a range of tasks to choose from, so there is something for everyone to engage with and contribute! What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoesExtra layer (can be cold in the garden)Water bottleSunscreen / hat / sunglasses Have any other questions, feel free
- [COVID](https://www.communitygrows.org/covid) - COVID Health and Safety Protocols COVID-19 Self-AssessmentCommunityGrows and Tides Center is requiring all employees to review and complete the provided COVID-19 Self Assessment Form each morning they are scheduled to work onsite in the Garden. On scheduled days where an employee is expected to be onsite in the Garden to run programming, the scheduled employees will
- [Maintenance](https://www.communitygrows.org/maintenance) - This page is currently under construction. Check back in soon!
- [Acts of Kindness](https://www.communitygrows.org/actsofkindness) - #GivingTuesday is not just about contributing financially. By using this day to participate in an act of kindness, you can help contribute to nurturing and growing connections within the community. Here are some acts of kindness you can do. Be sure to tag us on our instagram @communitygrows or use the hashtag #CGgivingtuesday so we can share
- [Sandbox](https://www.communitygrows.org/sandbox) - Flip/Hover Boxes EA Flipbox This is front side content. Back Title This is back side content. Testimonial Carousels
- [What's Happening](https://www.communitygrows.org/whats-happening)
- [Follow Us](https://www.communitygrows.org/follow-us)
- [Transaction Failed](https://www.communitygrows.org/transaction-failed) - We're sorry, your transaction failed to process. Please try again or contact site support.
- [Testimonials](https://www.communitygrows.org/testimonials)

## My Templates

- [Default Kit](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=default-kit)
- [The Events Calendar - Dynamic template](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=the-events-calendar-dynamic-template) - « All Events This event has passed. postponed (DEMO) This event has been postponed. Your Events Calendar Template February 17 @ 1:04 pm $10 Free stock photo of a damiana flower sourced from Pixabay. This recipe is part of our Mocktail Social Events! We invite you to try it at home and share your creation
- [The Events Calendar - Starter](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=the-events-calendar-starter) - « All Events This event has passed. postponed (DEMO) This event has been postponed. Your Events Calendar Template February 17 @ 1:04 pm $10 Categories: Demo Category Tags: demo-tag-1, demo-tag-2 Website: http://theeventscalendar.com John Doe 555-555-5555 View Organizer Website info@theeventscalendar.com Mock Venue 1005 S Michigan Ave Chicago, Illinois United States + Google Map 123-456-7890 View Venue
- [call to action](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=call-to-action) - Sign me up!Complete the Volunteer Intake Form
- [front page links](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=front-page-links) - Our Programs Learn more about our programs which focus on environmental and garden lessons, nutrition education, civic involvement, leadership development, and job training for neighborhood youth. Get Involved Want to learn about how you can get involved? Click below to learn more about our individual and group volunteer opportunites. Join the Newsletter Stay in touch
- [impact page links](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=impact-page-links) - Annual Report View our annual reports by clicking below Strategic Goals Learn more about our strategic goals by clicking below
- [Button Template](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=button-template)
- [blogv3](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=blogv3) - Last Friday, Bain and Co. joined CommunityGrows for a workday in Koshland garden! Though a bit overcast, the team jumped into the task list for the day and gave the garden a makeover, just in time for the start of classes. Read more about their workday below! The day started with a group activity led by
- [blogv2](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=blogv2) - CommunityGrows would like to thank everyone who joined us and supported our 3rd Annual Fall Fundraiser at Joey the Cat! The night was a huge success (we met and then surpassed our fundraising goals!) as well as a fun way to celebrate a wonderful year with our friends, partners, and supporters. We want to give a
- [blog NEW](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=blog-new) - Garden Update 2020 How are the gardens you ask? They’re still growing with what they have, and appreciate the care they are able to receive. Things have been a little lonely without all the kids running around— but that’ll make the eventual return all the more exciting. Our staff has been working safely, and sweatily,
- [Page Header - Image & Title](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=page-header-image-title-2) - Title
- [impact](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=impact) - Our Impact in the garden, students learn a variety of lifelong skills
- [homepage](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=homepage) - Planting seeds, co-powering youth Our mission is to cultivate healthy youth through growing gardens in low-income, diverse communities CommunityGrows’ vision is that all youth are able to benefit from the joy and healing of nature-based outdoor education, and develop the tools, confidence and resources to navigate and challenge structural injustices. About Us Learn about the
- [Carousel Testimonials 1](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=carousel-testimonials-1-2)
- [Carousel Testimonials 3](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=carousel-testimonials-3-2)
- [Carousel Testimonials 2](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=carousel-testimonials-2-2)
- [Carousel Testimonials 3](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=carousel-testimonials-3)
- [Carousel Testimonials 2](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=carousel-testimonials-2)
- [Carousel Testimonials 1](https://www.communitygrows.org/?elementor_library=carousel-testimonials-1)

## Logos

- [Logo1](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/logo1)
- [Logo6](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/logo6)
- [Logo5](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/logo5)
- [Logo4](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/logo4)
- [Logo3](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/logo3)
- [Logo2](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/logo2)
- [Sponsor 5](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/sponsor-5)
- [Sponsor 4](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/sponsor-4)
- [Sponsor 3](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/sponsor-3)
- [Sponsor 2](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/sponsor-2)
- [Sponsor 1](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo/sponsor-1)

## MailPoet Page

- [MailPoet Page](https://www.communitygrows.org/?mailpoet_page=captcha) - [mailpoet_page]
- [MailPoet Page](https://www.communitygrows.org/?mailpoet_page=subscriptions) - [mailpoet_page]

## Events

- [Chipotle Fundraiser 🌯](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/chipotle-fundraiser-🌯) - CommunityGrows is partnering with Chipotle for a fundraiser on February 12, 2025, from 4-8 PM at 2675 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118. We’d love for you to help spread the word and join us in raising funds for our programs! Be sure to show the cashier a digital or printed flyer before completing your
- [Garden Volunteer Workday 🧑‍🌾](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/garden-volunteer-workday-rosa) - Looking for a chance to connect with your community, enjoy the outdoors, and learn new gardening skills? Join us at our upcoming workday! Volunteers are essential for maintaining our green spaces, ensuring they are ready for young people to enjoy positive and meaningful experiences. What to Expect: A chance to enjoy San Francisco’s green spaces
- [Mocktail Social Event🍹](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/mocktail-social-event🍹) - Celebrate the New Year with us at a special workshop inspired by the diverse cultures of San Francisco! Learn to craft delicious, garden-fresh mocktails in this fun and interactive event on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Koshland Park (Page and Buchanan Street). Space is limited to 15 participants, so don’t wait—reserve your spot below! While the event is
- [Garden Volunteer Work Day 🧑‍🌾](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/garden-volunteer-work-day) - Looking for a chance to connect with your community, enjoy the outdoors, and learn new gardening skills? Join us at our upcoming workday! Volunteers are essential for maintaining our green spaces, ensuring they are ready for young people to enjoy positive and meaningful experiences. What to Expect: Hands-on gardening experience Opportunities to meet new people
- [GivingTuesday with CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/givingtuesday) - Join us at Koshland Park for our GivingTuesday fundraising event! Enjoy a day packed with activities, including a cooking class, gardening class, free lunch, and a mobility workshop. 👩‍🌾 This event is open to all ages and free for everyone. GivingTuesday, taking place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a global movement that encourages people
- [Garden Work Day](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/garden-work-day-2) - Join us for a day in the garden! By volunteering, you'll help prepare these green spaces for young people to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned pro, we welcome you to give back to the community while enjoying the outdoors and getting your hands dirty. To volunteer,
- [Garden Work Day](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/garden-work-day) - Join us for a day in the garden! By volunteering, you'll help prepare these green spaces for young people to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned pro, we welcome you to give back to the community while enjoying the outdoors and getting your hands dirty. To volunteer,
- [Plant Sale Fundraiser](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/plant-sale-fundraiser-copy) - Join us on Saturday, June 22nd, at Koshland Park (Page & Buchanan St.) from 10 am to 2 pm for a fun-filled day featuring music, gardening activities, workshops, a diverse selection of plants, and much more! 🪴🌻⁠⁠ Gardening on a Budget 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM I-Naturalist Workshop 11:30 AM - 12 AM Flower Bracelet
- [Plant Sale Fundraiser](https://www.communitygrows.org/event/plant-sale-fundraiser) - Join us on Saturday, June 22nd, at Koshland Park (Page & Buchanan St.) from 10 am to 2 pm for a fun-filled day featuring music, gardening activities, workshops, a diverse selection of plants, and much more! 🪴🌻⁠⁠ Gardening on a Budget Workshop 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM I-Naturalist Workshop 11:30 AM - 12 PM Seed

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/uncategorized)
- [Education](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/education)
- [Environment](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/environment)
- [Post Formats](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/post-formats)
- [Events](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/events)
- [Gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/gardens)
- [Update](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/update)
- [Workdays](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/workdays)
- [Events](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/event)
- [Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/koshland-park)
- [Farms](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/farms)
- [Featured](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/featured)
- [Fundraiser](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/fundraisers)
- [Cooking Class](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/cooking-class)
- [Media](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/media)
- [Rosa Parks Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/rosa-parks-elementary-school)
- [Schools](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/schools)
- [Volunteers and Interns Spotlight](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/volunteers-and-interns-spotlight)
- [Westside Courts](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/westside-courts)
- [Booker T. Washington](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/booker-t-washington)
- [Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/koshland-park-workdays)
- [Upcoming Events](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/upcoming-events)
- [AAACC](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/aaacc)
- [BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/beets)
- [Summer Science](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/summer-science)
- [Program](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/program)
- [Koshland Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/koshland-garden)
- [Hayward Recreation Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/hayward-recreation-center)
- [John Muir Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/john-muir-elementary-school-schools)
- [Hayes Valley South](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/hayes-valley-south)
- [Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/green-gulch-farm-summer-science)
- [Hayes Valley Playground](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/hayes-valley-playground)
- [African American Arts & Culture Complex](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/african-american-arts-culture-complex)
- [CommunityGrows Organization](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/communitygrows-organization)
- [Rosa Parks Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/rosa-parks-elementary-school-schools)
- [Partners](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/partners)
- [William L. Cobb Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/william-l-cobb-elementary-school)
- [Employees Highlighted](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/employees-highlighted)
- [Magic Zone](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/magic-zone)
- [National Night Out](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/national-night-out)
- [CA Academy of Science](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/ca-academy-of-science)
- [After-School Program](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/after-school-program)
- [Starbucks](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/starbucks)
- [Redwood Trust Employees Foundation](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/redwood-trust-employees-foundation)
- [Salad Days](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/salad-days)
- [BEETS Employment Panel](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/beets-employment-panel)
- [Green Streets](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/green-streets)
- [Thanksgiving](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/thanksgiving)
- [Wreath Making](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/wreath-making)
- [MLK Day](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/mlk-day)
- [Field Trip](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/field-trip-2)
- [Recology](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/recology)
- [Professional Development](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/professional-development)
- [Raphael Weill Kindergarten](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/raphael-weill-kindergarten)
- [Advisory Board](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/advisory-board)
- [Camping in the Presidio](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/camping-in-the-presidio)
- [Peace Wall](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/peace-wall)
- [Yale Day of Service](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/yale-day-of-service)
- [International High School](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/international-high-school-partners)
- [SFUAA](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/sfuaa)
- [18 Reasons](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/18-reasons)
- [Up on Top](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/up-on-top)
- [New Liberation Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/new-liberation-garden)
- [Buchanan YMCA](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/buchanan-ymca)
- [Western Addition Beacon](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/western-addition-beacon)
- [PUC](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/puc)
- [Bi-Rite Grocery](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/bi-rite-grocery)
- [Whole Foods](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/whole-foods)
- [Treasure Island Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/treasure-island-farm)
- [Conferences](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/conferences)
- [Volunteer](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/volunteer)
- [Staff](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/staff)
- [Joey the Cat](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/joey-the-cat)
- [Kaiser-Permanente](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/kaiser-permanente)
- [Social Media](https://www.communitygrows.org/category/social-media)

## Tags

- [Education](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/education)
- [Environment](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/environment)
- [events](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/events)
- [programs](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/programs)
- [newsletters](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/newsletters)
- [recipes](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/recipes)
- [About Us](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/about-us)
- [Beet Rangers](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/beet-rangers)
- [LetUsGrow summer camp](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/letusgrow-summer-camp)
- [garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/garden)
- [Seed To Mouth Cooking Class](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/seed-to-mouth-cooking-class)
- [Handful Players](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/handful-players)
- [john muir elementary school](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/john-muir-elementary-school)
- [Kaiser-Permanente](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/kaiser-permanente)
- [recreation and park](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/recreation-and-park)
- [volunteer](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/volunteer)
- [fundraiser](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/fundraiser)
- [koshland park garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/koshland-park-garden)
- [Adrian Gaino](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/adrian-gaino)
- [Clidell Jackson](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/clidell-jackson)
- [New Employee](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/new-employee)
- [Artichokes](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/artichokes)
- [Potatoes](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/potatoes)
- [Western Addition Beacon](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/western-addition-beacon)
- [Barbara Fujimoto](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/barbara-fujimoto)
- [Lora Hirschberg](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/lora-hirschberg)
- [Louise Hjortenfalk](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/louise-hjortenfalk)
- [Nora Brereton](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/nora-brereton)
- [Rosa Parks Elementary School](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/rosa-parks-elementary-school)
- [Rosa Parks Murals](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/rosa-parks-murals)
- [school garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/school-garden)
- [beets](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/beets-2)
- [Presidio](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/presidio)
- [CommunityGrows](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/communitygrows)
- [Koshland Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/koshland-park)
- [Starbucks](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/starbucks)
- [Workay](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/workay)
- [#Koshland](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/koshland)
- [announcement](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/announcement)
- [Environmental Education](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/environmental-education)
- [summer science](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/summer-science-2)
- [buchanan YMCA](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/buchanan-ymca)
- [Hayward Rec Connect](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/hayward-rec-connect)
- [The BEETS](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/the-beets)
- [Cooking](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/cooking-2)
- [National Night Out](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/national-night-out)
- [BEET](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/beet)
- [Workday](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/workday)
- [Peace Wall](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/peace-wall)
- [gardens](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/gardens-2)
- [workdays](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/workdays-2)
- [Conferences](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/conferences)
- [Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/hayes-valley-neighborhood-association)
- [Magic Zone](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/magic-zone)
- [Mo'Magic](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/momagic)
- [Wreath and Card Making event](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/wreath-and-card-making-event)
- [#appreciation](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/appreciation)
- [rosa parks](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/rosa-parks)
- [seed-to-mouth](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/seed-to-mouth)
- [Pie Ranch](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/pie-ranch)
- [recipe](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/recipe)
- [Heart of the City Farmer's Market](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/heart-of-the-city-farmers-market)
- [Candlestick point](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/candlestick-point)
- [LEJ](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/lej)
- [Maxine Hall Health Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/maxine-hall-health-center)
- [Bi-Rite](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/bi-rite)
- [William L. Cobb](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/william-l-cobb)
- [John Muir](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/john-muir)
- [salad days](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/salad-days)
- [WA Family Resource Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/wa-family-resource-center)
- [Advisory Board](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/advisory-board)
- [Community BBQ](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/community-bbq)
- [Green Streets](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/green-streets)
- [Plaza East](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/plaza-east)
- [Girls 2000](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/girls-2000)
- [Green Gulch Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/green-gulch-farm)
- [Up on Top](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/up-on-top)
- [Buchanan Mall](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/buchanan-mall)
- [information](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/information)
- [Booker T. Washington CSC](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/booker-t-washington-csc)
- [New Liberation Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/new-liberation-garden)
- [Edible Schoolyard](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/edible-schoolyard)
- [Ella Hill Hutch](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/ella-hill-hutch)
- [Health Faire](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/health-faire)
- [ChangeScale](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/changescale)
- [conference](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/conference)
- [LEAPS](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/leaps)
- [Willie Mays](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/willie-mays)
- [Citizen Film](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/citizen-film)
- [indian valley farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/indian-valley-farm)
- [Exploratorium](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/exploratorium)
- [Thanksgiving](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/thanksgiving)
- [Global Gourmet](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/global-gourmet)
- [Giants' Garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/giants-garden)
- [aaacc](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/aaacc)
- [Ella Hutch Hill](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/ella-hutch-hill)
- [Uncategorized](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/uncategorized)
- [MLK Day of Service](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/mlk-day-of-service)
- [playworks](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/playworks)
- [university high school](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/university-high-school)
- [Green Team](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/green-team)
- [Alemany Farm](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/alemany-farm)
- [Vision Academy](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/vision-academy)
- [Oakland garden](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/oakland-garden)
- [Don Fisher](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/don-fisher)
- [Youth Speaks](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/youth-speaks)
- [Earth Day](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/earth-day)
- [Rosa Parks Senior Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/rosa-parks-senior-center)
- [Day of Service](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/day-of-service)
- [grants](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/grants)
- [Stanford](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/stanford)
- [IYEL](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/iyel)
- [Yosemite](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/yosemite)
- [Morgan Stanley](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/morgan-stanley)
- [Oasis for Girls](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/oasis-for-girls)
- [Village Project](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/village-project)
- [Cultural Conservancy](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/cultural-conservancy)
- [Friends of the Urban Forest](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/friends-of-the-urban-forest)
- [Youth Summit](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/youth-summit)
- [Prince Hall Learning Center](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/prince-hall-learning-center)
- [Civic Leadership Institute](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/civic-leadership-institute)
- [Resource fair](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/resource-fair)
- [Gateway High School](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/gateway-high-school)
- [BANPAC](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/banpac)
- [SFPUC](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/sfpuc)
- [Bain & Co.](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/bain-co)
- [Pacific Leadership Institute](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/pacific-leadership-institute)
- [tour](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/tour)
- [City Slicker Farms](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/city-slicker-farms)
- [Nature's Voices](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/natures-voices)
- [Avila & Associates](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/avila-associates)
- [Joey-the-Cat](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/joey-the-cat)
- [Westside Community Services](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/westside-community-services)
- [Walden Academy](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/walden-academy)
- [Lick-Wilmerding High School](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/lick-wilmerding-high-school)
- [international high school](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/international-high-school)
- [#highlights](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/highlights)
- [GAP](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/gap)
- [grant](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/grant)
- [Neighborhood Justice Fund](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/neighborhood-justice-fund)
- [Peace Festival](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/peace-festival)
- [history](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/history)
- [#GivingTuesday](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/givingtuesday)
- [Yoga](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/yoga)
- [3.9 Art Collective](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/3-9-art-collective)
- [annual review](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/annual-review)
- [#YAX](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/yax)
- [activity](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/activity)
- [Hayes Valley Art Works](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/hayes-valley-art-works)
- [Fillmore Mini-Park](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/fillmore-mini-park)
- [Neighborhood Love Day](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/neighborhood-love-day)
- [#SheBuilds](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/shebuilds)
- [Rebuilding Together](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/rebuilding-together)
- [Westside Court](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/westside-court)
- [Wu Yee Children’s Services](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/wu-yee-childrens-services)
- [Hall Capital](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/hall-capital)
- [MLKDayofService](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/mlkdayofservice)
- [#distance learning](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/distance-learning)
- [cooking class](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/cooking-class)
- [distanced learning](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/distanced-learning)
- [L Crew](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/l-crew)
- [Leadership Crew](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/leadership-crew)
- [Climate Action Now](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/climate-action-now)
- [Teens](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/teens)
- [Community Partners](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/community-partners)
- [Malcolm X](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/malcolm-x)
- [Garden Program](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/garden-program)
- [New Series](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/new-series)
- [newemployee](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/newemployee)
- [AAACCC](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/aaaccc)
- [Mo'Magic](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/momagic-2)
- [#RosaParksElementary](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/rosaparkselementary)
- [#UrbanGarden](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/urbangarden)
- [#UrbanGardening](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/urbangardening)
- [GardenWorkshop](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/gardenworkshop)
- [safeway](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/safeway)
- [fillmore](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/fillmore)
- [grocerystore](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/grocerystore)
- [deanpreston](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/deanpreston)
- [bookert](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/bookert)
- [fillmoredistrict](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/fillmoredistrict-2)
- [foodinsecurity](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/foodinsecurity)
- [websterplaza](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/websterplaza)
- [journal](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/journal)
- [entry](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/entry)
- [thifting](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/thifting)
- [fashion](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/fashion)
- [fastfashion](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/fastfashion)
- [#GardenWorkday](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/gardenworkday)
- [#SanFrancisco](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/sanfrancisco)
- [mocktail](https://www.communitygrows.org/tag/mocktail)

## Logo Categories

- [Donor](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo-category/donor)
- [Sponsor](https://www.communitygrows.org/logo-category/sponsor)