PROGRAMS

SEED TO SALSA

A scaffolded garden-to-community participation pathway building independence, routine, and meaningful roles through hands-on food learning.

Participants learn in partnership with community gardens and translate those skills into long-term stewardship at the CK Hub.

OUR APPROACH

Growing Skills Through
Real Participation

Seed to Salsa is a hands-on learning pathway that builds food literacy, sensory regulation, purposeful movement, and community participation. Participants begin by learning in a supported partner garden environment and then translate those skills to the CK Hub gardens, where they take on ongoing roles and responsibilities.

This progression supports long-term engagement, independence, and meaningful participation in community-based work. The program emphasizes routine, ownership, and real-world contribution rather than one-time activities.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION

Learn in Community Garden

Participants build foundational skills in planting, soil preparation, and seasonal routines within a structured partner garden.

Build Routine and Ownership
Participants take on consistent responsibilities and develop confidence through repeated participation.

Harvest and Share
Produce supports food learning, preparation, and shared community experiences.

COMMUNITY PARTNER

Community Learning Site
Loveland Youth Gardeners Partnership

Participants begin Seed to Salsa by learning alongside experienced educators in a fully functioning community garden. This setting provides structured exposure to planting, composting, soil preparation, and seasonal rhythms.

The partner garden allows participants to build confidence while developing practical skills in a supportive environment before transitioning to CK Hub gardens.

Seed starting and planting techniques
Soil preparation and garden bed setup
Composting and sustainability practices
Sensory regulation through outdoor work
Purposeful movement and task completion
Social participation in shared space

CK Hub Garden Translation Site

Skills learned in the community partner garden are translated to CK Hub gardens, where participants help build and maintain their own growing spaces. This phase emphasizes ownership, routine, and long-term participation.

Participants engage in ongoing garden stewardship, returning weekly to maintain beds, track growth, and develop responsibility for shared spaces.

Direct seeding and transplanting
Garden bed planning and maintenance
Watering routines and seasonal care
Harvest tracking and responsibility
Participant-led decision making
Long-term stewardship

Why Seed to Salsa Matters

Seed to Salsa builds independence and participation through real responsibilities. Participants engage in meaningful work that supports routine, confidence, and community connection.

This program creates long-term opportunities for skill development while contributing to shared community resources.

Builds independence and daily living skills
Supports sensory regulation through purposeful work
Encourages routine and responsibility
Expands community participation
Develops food literacy and confidence
Creates long-term meaningful roles

Program Growth

Seed to Salsa is designed as a scalable participation pathway. CK Hub gardens serve as a permanent learning environment where participants return weekly, deepen skills, and expand into food preparation and community sharing.

Future phases include Market to Kitchen, Kitchen Confidence, and Community Table experiences.

Support Seed to Salsa

Support for Seed to Salsa helps build accessible garden infrastructure and sustain long-term participant engagement. Donations directly support garden materials, seeds, tools, and ongoing facilitation.

Raised garden beds and materials
Soil, seeds, and irrigation
Garden tools and accessibility supports
Ongoing program facilitation
Long-term garden maintenance

2 Garden Sites

Community partner + CK Hub

Weekly Participation

Ongoing seasonal engagement

Hands-On Learning

Planting, maintenance, harvest

Long-Term Stewardship

Participant-led garden care

DONATE