TerraCorps Spotlight: Hesper Khong
Hesper Khong (they/she) is CitySprouts’ 2025-2026 Community Engagement Coordinator through TerraCorps. Since September, Hesper has been working with the Communications and Development team to connect with community members through after school programming, social media platforms, event tabling, garden site visits, and more. Learn more about Hesper below!
What originally inspired you to get involved in youth garden education?
Growing up my parents encouraged me to be outdoors or in our backyard garden when possible, which has continued to follow me throughout life in my walks outside, tending to my plants, and more. Later, my time as a Paulson Ecology of Place Initiative intern in college and later as an urban gardener in Chelsea, MA really cemented my love for nurturing the relationship between community members and our natural environment! In thinking about urban neighborhoods, I believe it’s especially significant for youth to have access to green spaces in their backyard to explore, learn more about locally grown food, and practice reciprocity.
How has working with youth changed your perspective on education or the environment?
In a society where people are pushed to rapidly produce and consume, being with youth outdoors continues to ground me in the present and reminds me to truly slow down to enjoy the little gifts life has to offer. Not everything can be done immediately and tackling things with patience and curiosity can make the world of a difference.
If you could introduce/recommend one tool or technology to enhance garden education, what would it be?
I think reading any of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s books is an insightful, meaningful step towards building the foundation for a reciprocal relationship with our gardens and intentionally shifting our perspective of our environment overall.
Learn more about Hesper!
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
“Hasta la raíz” by Natalia Lafourcade or something by Haley Heynderickx
If you could live in any fictional universe, where would it be?
Sometimes it changes as I read, but I really love Witch Hat Atelier and could see myself enjoying a life there!
What’s one item on your bucket list that you’re determined to check off soon?
Mapping out my favorite places to visit in Boston/Cambridge!
What is your go-to restaurant or cafe in Boston/Cambridge?
There are too many! Here are a few musts for me:
Great Taste Bakery for dim sum
bōm dough for matcha and pão de quiejo sandwiches
Suya Joint for efo riro with pounded yam, plantains, and beans