We’re thrilled to bring Big Green’s Jumpstart program back to San Antonio with a second round of school garden grants! Our Jumpstart initiative aims to provide schools with the resources they need to help create and sustain thriving garden programs.
On Saturday, September 28th, twenty-nine passionate educators from schools across San Antonio gathered at Pershing Elementary for our kickoff event. They received hands-on training and valuable resources to help them build successful school gardens that inspire student involvement, promote healthy eating, and deepen understanding of nutrition and the environment.
Amy Soupiset, Assistant Principal at Pershing Elementary, shared the administration’s vision for the garden, saying, “We hope this initiative will make garden-based learning an integral part of our curriculum and offer students an authentic and practical way of learning.”
Leading the event alongside Big Green staff was Gardopia Gardens, a long-standing partner based in San Antonio and a key member of the Big Green DAO community. They facilitated interactive workshops, and offered practical strategies for implementing impactful school garden programs.
Throughout the day, educators participated in a variety of activities, including installing drip irrigation systems and engaging in workshops focused on garden design and lesson planning. These activities provided the knowledge and confidence to create gardens that will benefit their schools and communities for years to come.
A big congratulations to the 2024-2025 Jumpstart Grantees:
- Beacon Hill Academy
- Carroll Early Childhood Education Center
- CAST MED High School
- Charles Ball Elementary
- Elma A. Neal Elementary
- Eloise Japhet Elementary
- Green Campus (James Bonham Academy)
- Nathaniel Hawthorne Academy
- Highland Hills Elementary
- Kelly Academy at Lowell
- Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary
- John J. Pershing Elementary
- Woodlawn Hills Elementary
- Sarah S. King Elementary
- Herman Hirsch Elementary
- Hillcrest Elementary
- Luther Burbank High School
- Antonio Margil Elementary
Thank you to all the educators, students, and partners who are helping us grow a greener, healthier San Antonio. We’re excited to watch these gardens flourish and invite everyone to join us on this journey. Let’s keep growing together!
