Marcus Kassick is CitySprouts’ 2024/25 Community Engagement Coordinator through TerraCorps. From assisting with afterschool garden lessons to writing blogs and managing our social media, Marcus helps connect youth and community through storytelling and hands-on learning. Read more about what inspires Marcus, and which mythical pet he’d want, in this spotlight!

Over the course of the school year, CitySprouts’ school gardens became spaces for hands-on learning, growth, and joy. Students explored plant life cycles, ecosystems, and the rhythms of the seasons while asking some silly questions along the way. From shy first encounters with worms to confident garden leadership, we watched young people grow in knowledge, confidence, and curiosity. This blog looks back on the moments, lessons, and laughter that made this year unforgettable.

CitySprouts’ afterschool Green Team at the Cambridge Community Center spent the year digging into plant research, hands-on gardening, and joyful learning. Each student chose a plant to study—like apples, orchids, or mangoes—and created vibrant posters showcasing their discoveries. At CCC’s end-of-year Awards Night, families celebrated the students’ hard work with a colorful display of plants and research. Read the full blog to learn how curiosity and community blossomed throughout the year!

CitySprouts TerraCorps members are digging into a year full of hands-on learning, connection, and growth in Boston and Cambridge school gardens. Whether they came in passionate about the environment, curious about education, or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, each member has found something valuable through their service. From joyful moments with students to learning unexpected skills like plumbing or lesson planning, their days are filled with variety and purpose. Along the way, they’ve built stronger ties to their communities, discovered new strengths, and helped create spaces where kids can learn, grow, and thrive!

This year’s Dig It! was bursting with joy, gratitude, and garden-grown love for the incredible educators who make our work possible. We celebrated longtime CitySprouts champions Janet Forte and LeRoy Attles, whose passion has inspired generations of young learners, and heard heartfelt reflections from chef and keynote speaker Irene Li. With nearly $30,000 raised and a room full of laughter, hugs, and shared stories, the night reminded us just how magical this community really is.

Spring is here, and the garden is coming to life! Students are back outside, adding fresh soil, spotting early sprouts, and getting ready to plant the first seeds of the season. From uncovering hidden insects to planning their crops, there’s so much excitement in the air—check out the blog to see how the garden is growing!

CitySprouts’ second annual Boston Area School Garden Conference was a success! The day consisted of networking, singing, interactive workshops, and informative presentations on everything from school garden models, to pollinator garden design, to food justice. Thanks to all who joined! Here is a recap of some of the highlights.

Discover how the Green Team embraced the winter season with creative indoor lessons! From painting personalized plant pots to pickling cucumbers and popping colorful popcorn, students explored hands-on activities that connected them to gardening, science, and sustainability—all while having fun and learning new skills!

Learning about the life cycle of a seed!

Fall traditions at CitySprouts