Hello all! My name is Claire and I’m the new Preschool Gardens Coordinator. While new to the SYG team, I got my start with KCCG as a Beanstalk Garden Assistant almost 3 years ago. I’m excited to be back in a full-time role and I can’t wait to meet all our wonderful schools!

My first tasks have included garden bed construction and ramping up for the busy spring planting season. It has been so inspiring to see our dedicated students work hard through icy and cold conditions to build and expand their gardens, all while maintaining a positive attitude. Their hard work will no doubt pay off when it comes time to enjoy all the wonderful food they grow!

I attribute my love for gardening and food to the summers I spent on my grandparents’ farm. It was there where I first discovered the joy of eating a tomato straight off the plant and the thrill of watching as a caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly.

My background is in child development and nutrition education. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Washburn University in Topeka, KS and after some time traveling abroad and working in various roles with children, I decided to go back to school to become a Certified Nutrition Coach.

Through each of my experiences, I have come to believe in the power of helping a person understand where their food comes from. For an adult, it can be a major shift in their wellness journey and for a child it can instill lifelong habits of making healthy choices. I am passionate about connecting people to nutrient dense food and being a part of the SYG team is going to be such a fun and wonderful way to accomplish this goal.

Outside of work I enjoy cooking, sipping a delightful cup of coffee, traveling, reading a good book, and hiking with my husband, son, and lovable pup.

I’m so excited to join the SYG team and look forward to getting out to each of the schools to meet everyone soon!