This post was written by Terri Theisen, agriculture and food systems business associate, Parkview Community Greenhouse & Learning Kitchen.
Something special is taking root at Parkview Community Greenhouse & Learning Kitchen. In partnership with the AMP Lab at Fort Wayne Community Schools, students are bringing months of planning, growing and collaboration to life through a community plant giveaway. What began as a semester-long challenge has blossomed into an event filled with fresh herbs and vegetables, family-friendly activities and simple ways to connect people with healthy food and gardening.
Seedlings
Every year, students at the AMP Lab take on real-world challenges posed by community partners. They choose projects based on their interests and skills, then work collaboratively to bring those ideas to life. Through regular check-ins, greenhouse visits and hands-on problem-solving, students and their Parkview mentors move from early ideas to actionable plans. Students were challenged to design and host a community-centered plant giveaway that supports our shared mission of growing a healthier community.
Germinating
Students in Ms. Casiano’s class stepped up to the challenge, diving into the mission of the Parkview Greenhouse & Learning Kitchen and exploring how their own skills could contribute. Earlier in the year, they visited the space to get a feel for the work, spark ideas and begin imagining what this event could become. From there, the project took shape around three focus areas: growing, marketing and event planning.
After plenty of brainstorming and a few wonderfully wild ideas, the students got to work. Each student selected a vegetable or herb to grow, while the grow teams deepened their horticulture skills by tending hundreds of plants with care and a fair amount of patience.
The marketing teams collaborated with Stephen Doucette, marketing manager, Parkview Health, to develop outreach strategies and create banners, flyers, videos and social media content. One group even launched an Instagram account to share updates and build excitement.
Meanwhile, the activities teams dreamed up a range of family-friendly experiences, including vegetable salad samples, “plant-the-corn hole,” vegetable collector cards, and even homemade bubbles because everyone needs a little more bubble fun in their life.
Ali Thomas, RDN, CD, community outreach dietitian, joined the project to help students connect gardening with healthy eating. Drawing on her culinary background and work as a dietitian, she guided students through the planning and preparation of fresh food samples, an experience that quickly revealed the level of coordination that goes on behind the scenes.
Budding
Through it all, students have gained a firsthand understanding of what it takes to bring a community event to life. They’ve developed new skills, collaborated across teams and learned to appreciate the many moving pieces that make this kind of work possible.
Now, as the event approaches, excitement is growing right alongside the plants. Students are proud of what they’ve created and eager to share it. This project has built confidence through real-world impact, strengthened community connections and encouraged both gardening and healthy eating, all while demonstrating the power of partnership with consistent mentorship along the way.
Ripe and ready
Join us for the Community Plant Giveaway on May 2 from 12–2 PM at the Parkview Community Greenhouse & Learning Kitchen at 1716 Beacon Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. This free event is open to all and will feature free vegetable and herb plants, family-friendly activities, healthy food samples and practical gardening advice. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you’ll find something for you.
This season has been one of growth for the plants, the students and the partnerships that brought this event to life. And the roots don’t stop here. We’re excited to keep planting seeds of collaboration, curiosity and hope for seasons to come.
