PROJECTS
Community Garden on W7th & D
In collaboration with the South Boston NDC we developed an unused city lot and built several garden beds on the corner of West 7th st and D st in South Boston. The beds are 2 feet tall, 20 feet long, and 4 feet wide. The garden is an experimental community effort in which anyone is welcome to participate.
South Boston | Fall 2021
The Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School
This was our first raised bed garden in collaboration with a school community. In this case we did not provide hands-on teaching but instead provided the foundation for learning by constructing a raised bed for the school. The focus group was kindergarteners and setting them up for plant learning at the earliest stages possible!
South Boston | Spring 2021
Paul A. Dever Elementary School
In Fall of 2022, we successfully launched our first educational initiative with Paul A. Dever School in Dorchester. This project with the 6th grade science class (60+ students) spanned five weeks - four in-school teaching sessions followed by a field trip to the Boston Microgreens farm. The in-school sessions gave students the opportunity to plant and tend to their own microgreens (pea tendril, basil, and sunflower) while learning about the range of nutritional, plant-science, and sustainability concepts. The work done in the Dever school has laid the groundwork for scaling the mission and reach of BYFP.
Dorchester | Since Fall 2022
South Boston Catholic Academy
In Spring 2023, we partnered with the SBCA in South Boston to engage over 40 fifth and sixth graders in our five-week science program. The project included four in-school teaching sessions and a field trip to the Boston Microgreens urban farm. Building on last year's efforts at Devers and using a revamped lesson plan, SBCA students explored our standard curriculum and conducted hands-on experiments like the plant light box and the Lilly pollution dye experiment. This collaboration provided students with an immersive learning experience, deepening their understanding of urban agriculture and environmental science.
South Boston | Since Spring 2023
Blackstone School
Blackstone School, a community-based public school in the heart of the South End, hosted our curriculum for over 80 fifth and sixth graders with diverse learning experiences. Over five weeks, students participated in four in-school teaching sessions and a field trip to the Boston Microgreens farm. Despite the school's small outdoor gardening space, students gained valuable experience by personally managing their own planting vessels in the classroom. Week 4's Salad Day was a highlight, with enthusiastic feedback from the students. Special thanks to Ms. Ace for her support in making this project a success!
South End | Since spring 2023
Richard J. Murphy School
The Richard J. Murphy School has been a highlight for many reasons. Our projects with the sixth-grade science class, including a special learning needs section, have engaged up to 100 students each semester. One of the strengths of our program is its adaptability to various classroom settings and learning styles.
Interacting with the students at Richard J. Murphy has been fantastic. It was wonderful to see them take ownership of the plant-growing process and maintain their space, ensuring readiness for each session. The group's curiosity shone through with their thoughtful questions. Thank you, Ms. Locke, for facilitating and helping us enhance our offerings.
Dorchester | Since Spring 2023
Charles H Taylor School
In Spring 2024, we were excited to offer all our school partners a new and improved curriculum featuring innovative educational tools, interactive lesson plans, tactile experiences, and more hands-on learning. We aim to make our programs fun and relatable, as that's when they have the most impact. We launched this updated programming at the Charles H. Taylor School in Mattapan, engaging 50 enthusiastic fifth graders. A big thanks to Ms. Smith for facilitating this experience and a big round of high fives to the participating classes!
Mattapan | Since Spring 2024
Thomas A. Edison K8 School
Similarly, we forged a new relationship with the Thomas A. Edison K8 School, where over 50 students participated in our program. The students' numerous questions were a clear sign of their curiosity and engagement. Each school presents a new opportunity for us to learn what works best and what can be improved, helping us enhance our offerings and reach students more effectively. Thanks to the students for their enthusiasm and for helping us learn, and a big thanks to Ms. Yeo for her interest and assistance in bringing this partnership to fruition.
Brighton, MA | Since Spring 2024
Donald McKay School
We are happy to have established our first partnership with a school in East Boston with the Donald McKay School. While this was not the first opportunity for our bilingual student teachers to teach in Spanish it was certainly a welcome challenge and a fun experience for all involved. We find that the tactile plant teaching carries over into different languages, contexts and learning spectrums quite well. Thanks Ms. Phalen for making it happen!
East Boston | Since Fall 2024
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
In the Fall of 2024, we were thrilled to bring BYFP to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Dorchester with a new format! Trying out something a little different, 6th grade science teacher Sarah Endicott taught the course herself, leading her 34 students through the hands-on planting and exploring some of our leading topics such as nutrition and self-empoweme. The students’ enthusiasm was infectious, especially during Harvest Day, where they were able to cherish the fruits of their labor. A special thanks to Ms. Endicott for championing this initiative and ensuring the program’s success!
Dorchester | Since Fall 2024
Josiah Quincy Elementary School
The fall of 2024 marked a significant expansion for BYFP with the addition of five new Boston Public Schools and the first year of more than 1000 students passing through the program. The Josiah Quincy Elementary School was eager to participate in the program. So eager in fact that we had to bring in two vertical farming racks for the over 120 students that participated The students did not waste time in planting their first seeds and participated in the classroom discussions enthusiastically. Thanks Josiah Quincy for a great first semester!
Downtown Boston | Since Fall 2024
Roger Clap Elementary School
Our partnership with Roger Clap Elementary School in Dorchester introduced third and fourth graders to the wonders of urban agriculture. The smaller class sizes allowed for a more personalized experience, fostering deep curiosity and engagement among the students. Their excitement to try new foods and learn about sustainability was a highlight of the semester. Huge appreciation to the whole team for this effort and for welcoming us into the Roger Clap community!
Dorchester | Since Fall 2024
Sarah Greenwood Dual Language k-8
The Sarah Greenwood Dual Language K-12 School in Dorchester brought a unique and vibrant dynamic to BYFP. With students learning in both English and Spanish, this partnership allowed us to incorporate bilingual elements into our curriculum, enriching the experience for all. Over 80 middle schoolers participated, eagerly planting and tending to their microgreens while practicing cross-language communication. A heartfelt gracias to Rosanna Crispín-Rosario for her incredible support in making this program possible!
Dorchester | Since Fall 2024
