We had the pleasure of interviewing Maddie Kartoz, Garden Operations Manager for City Sprouts in Boston on the Coast of Maine's Growing Good Podcast. Maddie’s journey into the world of gardening, local food systems, and community building is an inspiring tale of passion, dedication, and a deep connection to nature.
From the Garden State to Boston: A Love for Local Food
Maddie grew up in the Garden State, where a job as a farmhand ignited their love for local food and agriculture. Family dinners were a cherished tradition in their household, and these moments around the dinner table, filled with good food and meaningful conversations, became the foundation of their values. This early exposure to local food systems and the importance of family meals played a pivotal role in shaping their career path.
A Journey Through Outdoor Education
Maddie’s passion for local food and agriculture led them to work in various roles, including an instructor for Thompson Island Outward Bound and Tidelines Institute, where she led sea kayak expeditions and taught social-emotional learning skills. Her love for the natural world and outdoor education eventually brought her to City Sprouts in Boston, where she now works to provide students with access to experiential learning in the garden.
City Sprouts: Building Community Through Gardening
As the Garden Operations Manager at City Sprouts, Maddie is responsible for overseeing the garden sites across Boston’s public schools. Their role involves everything from ensuring that the gardens are well-maintained and stocked with the necessary supplies to coordinating volunteers and working with educators to create engaging and educational outdoor spaces for students.
City Sprouts, a nonprofit organization that has been around for over 20 years, is dedicated to integrating experiential garden-based learning into the public school curriculum. With a team of passionate educators, City Sprouts operates 24 garden sites across Boston, each designed to be more than just a garden – they are outdoor classrooms where students can learn about science, agriculture, and the importance of community.
Creating a Curriculum That Resonates
Maddie emphasized the importance of creating a curriculum that is both educational and responsive to the needs of the students and the communities they serve. For example, a group of the students in the Boston area come from Cape Verdean backgrounds, so City Sprouts ensures that crops like Swiss chard, commonly used in Cape Verdean cuisine, are included in the gardens. This not only provides students with a sense of familiarity but also connects them to their cultural heritage.
Along with culturally responsive planting, City Sprouts prioritizes growing kid-friendly crops like cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, and ground cherries. These small, easy-to-harvest crops make the gardening experience more accessible and enjoyable for students.
Challenges and Opportunities in Urban Gardening
One of the biggest challenges Maddie faces in her role is maintaining the 24 garden sites across the Boston area. Coordinating volunteers, managing supplies, and ensuring that each garden is well-tended can be a logistical challenge, especially during the summer months when school is out. However, Maddie sees this as an opportunity to build a sense of ownership and community among the volunteers and local residents who help maintain the gardens.
City Sprouts is actively working to recruit and train volunteers, not just to fill a need, but to provide a meaningful and educational experience for those who want to get involved. For many volunteers, gardening offers a mental health benefit, providing a sense of peace and connection to nature in the midst of a busy urban environment.
Supporting City Sprouts: How You Can Get Involved
City Sprouts relies on a combination of school contracts, grants, private donations, and corporate sponsorships to fund its operations. Events like their annual “Dig It” spring gala at MIT, along with corporate volunteer programs, play a crucial role in supporting their mission.
If you’re interested in learning more about City Sprouts or getting involved as a volunteer, visit their website at http://citysprouts.org. Whether you’re a local resident looking to get your hands dirty or a company interested in sponsoring a team-building day in the garden, City Sprouts offers a variety of ways to make a positive impact in your community.
Final Thoughts
Maddie’s story is a testament to the power of local food systems, community building, and the importance of experiential education. Through her work with City Sprouts, she is not only helping to grow gardens but also fostering a sense of connection and resilience in the communities she serves. As we continue to face challenges like climate change and increasing isolation in an online world, initiatives like City Sprouts offer a hopeful and hands-on approach to building a better future!
