Growing Health: Promoting Community Engagement & Food Literacy through School & Community Gardens

by Taylor Boich, Karen Collazo, Sarah Luna, & Kaylee McCurley

Our time at Ridglea Giving Garden and University Christian Church has given us the chance to practice Public Health Nursing in a hands-on, meaningful way. By working directly with community members, we’ve promoted health literacy, sustainable gardening, and nutritional education in an open, supportive environment. See our poster below.

One of the most inspiring parts of this experience has been collaborating with Mary Jo Greene, the founder of Made Greene. Mary Jo’s expertise in gardening and passion for community health have truly elevated our work. Her guidance has helped us teach children about healthy eating habits, making learning about vegetables both fun and interactive. She’s shown us the importance of engaging with others in ways that feel relevant and approachable.

Together, we planted garden vegetables and organized creative activities, like painting and decorating garden areas. These activities allowed children to feel connected to the garden, reinforcing that community gardens can be about more than food—they’re spaces for growth, connection, and belonging. To make the garden accessible for everyone, we created bilingual signs with information about each plant, supporting food literacy in both English and Spanish.

This experience has deepened our understanding of Public Health Nursing. Effective public health isn’t just about individual care; it’s about building relationships, understanding cultural contexts, and providing resources that can impact long-term health behaviors. Being part of the Ridglea Giving Garden and University Christian Church community garden has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re grateful for this opportunity to make a difference as future nurses.