Rooted’s premier springtime program has provided hands-on learning opportunities to over 1,500 grade-school students in Sheridan County. Soil composition, composting worms, and seed starting are taught with help from volunteers, and with the supportive collaboration of the research staff at the University of Wyoming Sheridan Research and Extension Center, as well as SCSD2 Greenhouse staff.

Rooted in Wyoming partners with all three school districts in Sheridan County, Holy Name Catholic School, and with school gardens across the state through the mini-grant program.

School gardens are great outdoor classrooms, as they provide hands-on learning opportunities that reinforce math and science. Tending the school garden helps students develop their nutrition awareness, as well as their understanding of environmental stewardship!

Partner organizations in the community are helping encourage gardening for ALL ages! Community partner gardens include Eagle’s Nest Garden at TRVCC in Ranchester, Rooted at the Hub located at The Hub on Smith, The VA Victory Garden at the Sheridan VA Medical Center, and Who’s Blue Garden at Easterseals.

In addition, Rooted shares seeds and starts, and participates in workdays with Community Gardens in Sheridan County.

Since 2021 Rooted has been facilitating partnerships between Sheridan County classes and local restaurants to create unique dishes made from produce grown in the schools’ own gardens!

Restaurant partners have included Welcome Market Hall, Sackett’s Market, Cottonwood Kitchen, Innominate Bakery, Bonafide, Frackelton’s, and Verdello.

Have you ever felt hungry and reached for a snack? Where did that food come from? Find out the fascinating story behind food on an adventure that will take you from the forest, to the garden, to the kitchen, and the table. Meet some amazing scientists, and find out from friendly local farmers what it takes to make sure we all get fed!

Sponsored by Pam & John Standish, RiW, and The Brinton Museum

In an effort to encourage a life-long, year-round love of planting, growing, and cultivation, Rooted partners with K-12 schools to develop winter projects that include growing pearl-oyster mushrooms, growing microgreens, and utilizing a lettuce grow-tower to grow herbs and lettuce throughout the winter months!

These projects have been a wonderful way to extend the growing season and classroom learning opportunities!