Exploring Community Empowerment through Garden-based Learning: CREA’s Visit to Gardopia Gardens

Last week, the Coalition for Regenerative Ecologies and Agriculture (CREA) Fellows visited Gardopia Gardens on the city’s east side. Gardopia is transforming San Antonio by increasing access to fresh food, educating the community on sustainable practices, and tackling issues of nutrition and food justice. Their work is not just about growing food; it’s about growing healthier, more resilient communities.

We were greeted by Dominic Dominguez, the Chief Operating Officer, and former CREA Summer Study Abroad participant, who gave us a comprehensive overview of Gardopia’s mission and impact. The organization aims to reduce malnutrition and obesity through garden-based education, focusing on both urban and rural areas. Through their efforts, Gardopia Gardens partners with roughly 60 schools across the city, providing nature-based learning programs that integrate agriculture and wellness into the school curriculum.

During our visit, the students had the chance to ask insightful questions about their approach to engaging local communities and the positive results they’ve seen in areas such as improved nutrition, mental health, and overall wellness. Their curiosity and engagement were a testament to the power of experiential learning.

We also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy Primary, where Gardopia runs a large-scale garden initiative. We assisted with composting, planting, and preparing the garden beds for the upcoming spring planting season, directly contributing to their ongoing sustainability efforts.

Gardopia is more than just a garden project, it’s a living classroom, impacting thousands of students and community members across San Antonio. It offers a hands-on approach to learning about food systems, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship, providing young people with the tools to lead healthier lives.

Their commitment to sustainability goes beyond the classroom, with a broader vision of creating equitable access to fresh food in underserved communities.

The CREA team left Gardopia Gardens with a deeper understanding of how regenerative practices can be applied in urban environments. It was an inspiring day, reaffirming the importance of community-led solutions in addressing issues of food security, health, and environmental resilience.

CREA is generously funded by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Collaborative Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Education Grant.