GME Garden Guardians

The GME Garden is a living classroom and a place of discovery, care, and connection. From planting vegetables to hosting student STEAM lessons, this space is only possible because of the amazing volunteers who give their time, talents, and energy throughout the year.

Together, we are the Garden Guardians — a community of parents, caregivers, and neighbors who help this space bloom.

Helping Our Garden—and Students—Thrive All Year Long

Meet the GME Garden Team

At Garrison Mill Elementary, our garden is more than just a green space — it’s a place for learning, discovery, and community connection. It takes a dedicated team to keep it thriving year-round, and we’re proud to introduce the volunteers leading that effort. We have a small team of volunteer leaders who help guide the garden’s success:

Garden Coordinator

Rosario serves as our Garden Coordinator, overseeing the overall care and maintenance of the garden. She keeps things running smoothly by making sure seasonal tasks are organized, volunteers are supported, and the garden remains a safe and functional space for everyone. While she’s not doing every task herself, Rosario makes sure the work gets done — coordinating people, schedules, and garden goals behind the scenes.

Garden Education Lead

Christina helps bring the garden to life as an outdoor classroom. In partnership with our teachers, she develops engaging, curriculum-aligned lesson plans and activities that connect students to nature, science, and sustainability. Her work ensures the garden isn’t just a beautiful space — it’s also a dynamic place of learning for every grade level.

Garden Manager

Laura brings valuable hands-on experience and gardening knowledge to our team. As Garden Manager, she guides the practical care of the garden throughout the year — from planting and composting to pest control and crop rotation. Laura leads with confidence and experience, helping mentor other volunteers and ensuring the garden continues to grow beautifully and sustainably.

Volunteers Make the Magic Happen

Whether you’re watering once a month, helping at a garden workday, pulling weeds, or harvesting a bed of lettuce — it all matters. Every small effort adds up to a big impact for our students.

We believe that:

You don’t need to be a master gardener to help.
Every hour counts — there’s no “too little.”
Kids benefit when adults care for their learning spaces.
Getting your hands in the dirt brings joy

Want to Get Involved?

We welcome new members throughout the year! If you’d like to join our garden team, help with a seasonal task, or learn more about what we do, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Volunteer Sign-Up: Let us know

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need gardening experience to help?

Not at all! Many of our volunteers are learning as they go. We have experienced leads (like Laura) who can guide you — and most tasks are simple and fun.

What kinds of things do volunteers help with?

Volunteers do a little of everything throughout the year, including:

Watering and weeding
Planting and harvesting
Helping during class garden lessons
Summer garden care
Composting and clean-up days
Special projects like building beds, painting signs, or organizing produce

How much time do I have to commit?

As much or as little as you’d like! Some families sign up for one watering shift a month. Others help on workdays or take on a summer week. We welcome all levels of involvement.

Can I bring my kids when I volunteer?

Yes! Many volunteers bring their children along. It’s a great way to get them engaged in nature, learn responsibility, and see where their food comes from.

What happens during the summer?

We create a simple summer watering and care calendar, where families can sign up to check on the garden, water if needed, and harvest any ready produce. It’s a fun and flexible way to help during the break.

Who do I contact with questions?

You can reach out to our Garden Coordinator, Rosario at rosariob@gmefoundation.org, or our Garden Manager, Laura, at lauras@gmefoundation.org.