LGTF tracks key program impact metrics including classrooms sponsored, students reached, schools served, and teacher participation. Teacher feedback and program engagement also help measure the effectiveness and educational value of each learning experience.
Before seeking grant funding, LGTF first tested its program through a self-funded pilot initiative in Michigan for the print program. The Pilot brought hands-on gardening education to more than 5,200 students across hundreds of third-grade classrooms, providing classroom gardens, take-home garden kits, and interactive STEM-based learning experiences that encouraged students to explore planting, growing, and creativity through discovery.
This pilot program was not funded through grants. Instead, the program was developed and launched through self-funded efforts to demonstrate that the curriculum, logistics, and classroom experience could successfully operate at scale before pursuing outside grant support.
The success of the Michigan pilot provided valuable proof of concept, showing strong classroom participation, student engagement, and educator interest in hands-on gardening and agriculture-based learning. With a tested framework already in place, LGTF is now seeking grant funding and strategic partnerships to expand the program into additional schools and communities nationwide.
LGTF measures success through key impact metrics including students reached, classrooms sponsored, lesson participation, teacher satisfaction, and overall student engagement throughout the program. Continued interest from schools and repeat participation also help demonstrate the program’s long-term educational value and effectiveness.
“My students and I loved this program and are so thankful to Growums and all of the sponsors! The materials were thoughtfully created and engaging.”
– Patti L., 3rd Grade Teacher
“I love the kits and the kids enjoyed watching the plants grow. They were very excited to see things sprout.”
– Melissa A., 3rd Grade Teacher
“My students were very engaged. They are all excited about growing their own gardens at home and many are talking about how to prepare food they might not have tried before.”
– Jennifer M., 3rd Grade Teacher
“The students were engaged. They loved the short videos and hands-on learning. I personally loved how the program was laid out for me with activities that kept my students focused and learning at each step of the process.”
– Karen M., 3rd Grade Teacher
“Kids loved this! They were very engaged. They loved watching the plants grow.”
– Joan P., 3rd Grade Teacher
“These materials were highly engaging for my students! They loved every minute of the Growums experience.”
– Sydney Z., 3rd Grade Teacher
As we grow, we’re reaching more schools and more children with gardening, food literacy, and hands-on STEAM learning. Help us expand into even more program locations!
“I was in a classroom at Auburn Elementary and the teacher introduced me to her students as ‘Mrs. Growums.’ The students were very excited when they learned of my part in bringing Growums to their classroom. They became very energized and showed me their Green Thumb notebooks and explained all of the activities that had happened thus far. One little girl asked me if I made the book, and I said I was part of the team that created the items for the classroom. She hugged the book and said, ‘I love this book so much!’ She then proceeded to walk me over to the plants and explain how they planted the seed and now the seeds are sprouting and she can’t wait for the next page in her Green Thumb notebook. The whole class started chattering at me, and the energy in the room was off the charts. The teacher commented that this is the energy every day when it is time to work with Growums.”
– Lori France, Independent Consultant & Creator Team at Growums
“We had a student who did not want to leave his plant so who carry it back and forth from home to school like it was his baby. He loved it so much and made sure to always have a spot in the window and actually asked to have his desk moved so he could be closer to it. This was pretty cool for a student who does not normally advocate for himself.”
– Amber Stratton, 4th Grade Teacher
“The Growums Garden Adventure was a huge hit in our urban classroom! A lot of my students live in apartments or homes without access to a yard, so the idea of growing their own food seemed impossible at first. But once the kits arrived, the excitement was real. The characters were hilarious and relatable. One student said, ‘I didn’t think we could grow anything in the city!’ We set up a little growing station on our windowsills and added PLANT CARE to our daily routine. Students took turns checking moisture, measuring plant height, and sharing progress like proud parents. Even our school staff stopped by to see the “mini garden.” The best part? When each student got their very own kit to take home. Growums made gardening feel possible and exciting for city kids. It’s not just a garden kit: it’s a confidence builder. Highly recommend for urban schools that want to mix science, life skills, and a lot of laughs.”
– Mali Haslerig, 2nd Grade Teacher
“Our class enjoyed the Growums program! The kids were excited to watch the growing process of vegetables. They were amazed to grow food that they actually can eat! The program offered a step by step guide for the students to follow to learn about how we grow food to eat. The program lends itself to be explored every day or condensed to a couple days a week. The students worked together to plant a small “garden” at school and checked the growth of their gardens everyday. The program included amazing posters to hang in the classroom so the students are exposed to the vocabulary every day. The students received journals to record their observations and jot down their new vocabulary words. One of the favorite activities in our class was the traveling journal with Zucchini the Great! The students were able to be creative with writing about Zucchini’s adventures every night, they loved to hear about what he did when visiting their classmates. The students were so excited to bring their knowledge home and share it with their families with a whole new kit! The program was well structured and included almost all the supplies needed to successfully learn about growing our own gardens!! The program included activities that fit all learning styles, we had hands-on activities and games to engage the students, as well as creative writing opportunities . The program is well rounded and works across curriculums. While there were a few small things that could be improved on, I would do this program again!”
– Amber Whalen, 3rd Grade Teacher
“The students have been so attentive to their growing plants, and have been very engaged while going through the lesson material. They have learned a great deal, and this program supports our science goals and our school mission, which incorporates food and agriculture. I was thrilled with all the materials that were provided to help me present the concepts. My favorite was the Parts of a Plant poster. The materials greatly enhanced my instruction. The kits were great. Most all of the seeds sprouted and grew well. The variety of seeds provided helped the students make connections between the size of the plant with the size of the seed.”
– Kellie Maly, 3rd Grade Teacher