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Chico, CA

Oak Bridge Garden Club Greenhouse Project

Grant Amount

$19,927

Year Awarded

2025-2026

Project Coordinator

Nicole Ballew

Grant Type

Team

Local Association

Chico Unified Teachers Association

Focus Area

Garden and Outdoor Learning

About the Project

The Oak Bridge Garden Club Greenhouse Project is a multi-grade, interdisciplinary initiative that uses a student-managed greenhouse to connect classroom learning with real-world applications in science, horticulture, sustainability, and career readiness.
Students across grade levels will engage in hands-on activities such as plant propagation, composting, hydroponics, and crop cultivation, while also learning about environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture. The project fosters student agency through peer mentorship, student-led lessons, and entrepreneurial experiences. Strong partnerships with families, local organizations, and higher education institutions support career exploration and community involvement, preparing students for future pathways in agriculture, environmental science, and green technology.

Meet the Project Coordinator

Nicole Ballew

Hello! My name is Nicole Ballew and I am a teacher for Chico Unified School District.I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades for the past 25 years. Three years ago I built a school garden with the help of community scholarship funds and started the Oak Bridge Garden Club.My love of gardening and all things plant-related stem from my family’s roots in agriculture.I grew up in a farming family and developed a deep appreciation and understanding of growing food from an early age. I value the importance of teaching students where our food comes from, and helping them discover the joy of tending a successful garden. This greenhouse project will allow me to add propagation and sustainable horticulture education to my students’ repertoire. We are so excited to “grow” together!

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