The World Becomes What We Teach
Since 2006, West County DIGS has supported school gardens in West Contra Costa by providing resources, curriculum, advocacy, and partnerships. A group of dedicated garden educators brought together a network of teachers, community members, students, school administrators and funders to support the school garden movement.
DIGS is no longer a project of Earth Island Institute which served as a fiscal sponsor but continues to promote school garden education through online resources. We are available to provide workshops and coaching for garden educators and classroom teachers with an emphasis on facilitating universal access and an inclusive environment for all students.
We believe that all children should have the opportunity to connect with nature routinely in a positive way. We transform the hearts, minds, and eating habits of students through garden and nutrition activities. We build our community's resilience by cultivating wellness, academic achievement, and sustainable practices.

Professional Development Workshops
We have presented a variety of workshops on a range of topics Garden-Building Skills, Nutrition Awareness, Lesson Planning, and Garden Art and Movement. Our major focus, at this time, is Promoting Universal Access. and Inclusion in the Garden. Learn More.
Greenhouse Program
This former program cultivated high-quality seedlings for West Contra Costa school gardens. Learn More.
Mira Vista School Garden and Education Center
This program now supported by Growing Together and the City Of Richmond, offers all teachers, students, and their families garden and nutrition activities and resources. It serves as a model garden program providing a resource library and training opportunities for other schools. Learn More.
Mentor Program
DIGS works with garden educators, principals and teachers to build school gardens programs. Learn More.
Plant to Plate
This program prepares Richmond youth for work through organic gardening and training in the culinary arts. Learn More.
Our Impact
Since our inception, DIGS has supported over 35 school gardens. In previous years, we have coached and trained over 300 teachers, and given away over 5000 plant-starts annually from the DIGS greenhouse. We have reached thousands of students through an innovative nature-based curriculum that incorporates math, art, science, language arts, and social-emotional learning. We are committed to providing resources and networking opportunities for school garden programs.
Our Response To the COVID-19 Pandemic
Thanks to the Master Gardeners, DIGS gave away 600 plant starts during the pandemic to 60 Mira Vista School families. This has been a way to stay connected and promote home gardening during challenging times. We created over 150 social media posts that teach engaging and simple gardening and nutrition lessons. We also teach weekly distance learning garden lessons at Mira Vista School. Learn More.
Watch Our Covid-19 Plant Giveaway Videos!
Thank You
DIGS would not be possible without the help of many individuals who generously devote their time and resources. You don’t need to have a green thumb to get involved, just a warm heart and a passion for making a difference in the lives of our youth.
Whether you are an educator, parent, or community member, we have a variety of ways for you to get involved in our various programs. We are here to help you with your school garden goals!
