Looking Back with Gratitude, Ahead with Purpose
Happy New Year to our treasured Life Lab community!
As we step into 2026, we take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed and express our deepest gratitude to each of you who have supported our mission to cultivate children's love of learning, nourishing food, and nature through garden-based education.
In 2025, Life Lab...
🌿 Trained 356 educators, providing educators with practical tools to inspire young learners through school gardens. These educators reach 221,281 students each year.
🌼 Led 20 workshops across the country, from Washington, DC to Eureka, CA, and many places in between.
🌟 Certified 38 school garden educators in the Life Lab’s Certified Garden Educator Course, bringing the total to 208 Certified School Garden Educators powered by Sprouts Healthy Community Foundation.
🍅 Inspired and invigorated over 153 movement builders who reach 227,904 students at conferences and events, including the 2025 School Garden Leadership Institute, co-hosted with Whole Kids, a project of the Whole Foods Market Foundation, and in partnership with the SGSO Network.
🥕 Trained 6 UCSC student interns in garden education.
☀️ Hosted 103 summer campers at the Life Lab Garden Classroom for the first time since the pandemic, and provided 1/3 of attendees with scholarships. Partnered with the Santa Cruz Welcoming Network to provide 7 free camp spots to children in families with refugee status or seeking asylum.
These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and donors. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Looking Ahead to 2026, We’re Excited to:
☀️ Welcome back summer campers for another amazing summer in the Life Lab Garden Classroom, and partner with local organizations, including the Santa Cruz Welcoming Network, Walnut Avenue Women's Center, Housing Matters, County Parks Friends, and Child Welfare Services, to offer scholarship spots for local children in need.
🌸 Partner with Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation and the SGSO Network to host over 500 school garden leaders at the 2026 Growing School Gardens Summit in Phoenix, AZ. Collectively, past Summit attendees reach over 5 million students annually.
🌿 Co-host the annual School Garden Leadership Institute in June 2026 alongside Whole Kids, a project of the Whole Foods Market Foundation, and in partnership with the SGSO Network.
🍎 Continue to train current and future interns and educators across the country to bring learning to life in school gardens!
How You Can Help Life Lab Thrive in 2026:
🌱 Donate: Your gift helps us grow more opportunities for young learners and educators.
😊 Spread the Word: Tag, follow, or share our mission with friends and family. Find us on social media @lifelabgarden
Together, we are changing the very nature of education!
Wishing you a year full of growth, connection, and joy.
The Life Lab Team