Roots to Growth
Transforming how youth learn through food, land, and culture.
Who We Are
Roots to Growth is a youth-centered learning and food systems organization dedicated to strengthening the connection between food, land, culture, nutrition, and community. Founded in 2023, we began by creating hands-on pathways in agriculture, culinary arts, and nutrition for young people and emerging farmers across North Carolina.
As our work grew, so did our understanding: young people thrive when learning is rooted in culture, hands-on experiences, and nourishment that strengthens mind, body, and community.
Today, our programs weave together culinary arts, nutrition education, agriculture, storytelling, and environmental learning to help youth build skills, confidence, cultural pride, and a deeper sense of belonging.
We partner with schools, families, farms, and community organizations to create learning environments where young people can explore who they are, where they come from, and how they can shape their futures through food, land stewardship, creativity, and community connection.
Our Mission
Roots to Growth transforms how youth learn by providing culturally grounded food, garden, culinary, and nutrition education.
We equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to nourish themselves and their communities, while reconnecting to land, culture, and identity.
Through hands-on learning, storytelling, and community partnerships, we foster environments where youth can grow as leaders, creators, and stewards of a more just food system.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every young person has access to learning that is rooted in culture, connected to the land, and centered on nourishment and joy.
A world where students grow food, cook meals, understand nutrition, explore their heritage, and build meaningful connections that strengthen their futures and their communities.
Roots to Growth imagines schools and neighborhoods where youth thrive through culturally rich, land-based, and community-driven learning experiences.
🌿Programs
Our Programs
Two innovative pathways transforming how youth learn through culinary, garden, nutrition, and storytelling education.
Sprouts & Spice Academy
Sprouts & Spice Academy is a hands-on learning program where youth explore the connections between food, land, culture, and community. Through cooking, gardening, nutrition literacy, and cultural foodways, students discover how nourishment helps them grow, as individuals and as leaders.
Sprouts & Spice equips students with essential life and career skills while nurturing pride in their cultural roots and connection to the land.
Soulful Seeds Podcast
Youth Media • Food Culture • Land & Community Narratives
Soulful Seeds began as a podcast documenting the untold stories of Black farmers, food leaders, and culture keepers across the South.
Today, it has grown into a youth-driven media and storytelling lab that teaches students to capture the stories of food, land, and culture through multimedia.
Youth explore how storytelling shapes our understanding of nourishment, identity, and community, and they learn the technical skills to share the stories that matter.
🌿Impact
Our Impact Since 2023
Since 2023, Roots to Growth has connected youth to hands-on food, land, and storytelling programs that build skills, confidence, and community connection.
2,500+
Youth Engaged in Programs
75+
Families Reached
20
Stories Documented
2,000+
Community Members Inspired
🌿Join Us
Get Involved
Join us in empowering youth and growing healthier communities.
For Youth & Families
Access culinary, nutrition, and garden learning experiences that help young people grow with confidence, creativity, and cultural pride.
For Schools & Community Partners
Bring culturally grounded food, garden, and nutrition education to your students and families. Partner with us to create hands-on learning rooted in food, land, and culture.
For Supporters & Donors
Your support helps us expand culinary, nutrition, agriculture, and storytelling programs that empower youth and strengthen communities across North Carolina and beyond.
For Everyone
Listen to the Soulful Seeds Podcast and explore stories of food, land, culture, and community from youth, farmers, chefs, and culture keepers.
Ready to Grow with Us?
Join Roots to Growth in empowering youth through culturally grounded food, garden, nutrition, and storytelling education.
Your support helps youth thrive and builds stronger, Healthier communities.