2012 was a big year around the world. The summer Olympic Games took place in London. The US won 46 gold medals – four of them going to swimmer Michael Phelps. And, the Mars Rover “Curiosity” successfully landed (and is still operational today).
At Captain Planet Foundation, the first operating program, Project Learning Garden, began in Atlanta, GA. Since 2012, PLG has been helping schools turn outdoor spaces into vibrant learning environments where students can explore, discover, and grow. The program has grown into a far-reaching initiative that supports hands-on garden-based learning for students across the U.S. For educators, Project Learning Garden has become more than a school garden program. It’s a meaningful way to connect science, nutrition, student curiosity, a love of nature, and real-world problem-solving.
How project learning garden grew
“Every Garden Can Be a Classroom”
2012
Leesa Carter-Jones joins as CPF Executive Director and guides the launch of Project Learning Garden as a hometown program across the Atlanta-metro region.
2014
Dole Packaged Food joins as a funder to bring PLG to schools across the USA; an expansion that results in gardens across 41 states.
2015
Vitamix Foundation begins supporting PLG schools by adding a Vitamix blender to the mobile cooking cart. Tastings skyrocket as PLG garden harvests get this delicious boost!
2016
PLG goes international with Seeds of Change who funds a collaboration with UK-based Garden Organic to bring PLG to 32 primary schools across three (3) London boroughs.
2020
Major PLG collaborators, Delta Air Lines and Cox Enterprises begin bringing hundreds of PLG gardens to schools in their key market areas, while also hosting beloved corporate volunteer events.
2025
PLG launches the Teacher Certification program as 55 educators become certified Gardeneers!
In 2012, Leesa Carter-Jones joined as President of Captain Planet Foundation, and under her leadership, the organization launched its first program, Project Learning Garden, across the Atlanta metro region. From the start, the vision was clear: give schools the tools, resources and support needed to create outdoor classrooms where inquiry-driven, project-based learning can thrive.
Many of the original gardens are still growing strong today!
In 2014, Project Learning Garden expanded its gardens beyond Atlanta, establishing gardens across the United States. A key partner in growth was Dole Packaged Foods, whose support helped bring PLG gardens to schools in California, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and more.
Around the same time, Vitamix joined this partnership, giving schools a fun and practical way to use the produce harvested from their gardens. That partnership helped inspire one of PLG’s longtime favorites: the delicious PLG Pineapple Vinaigrette, still used at PLG school harvest events today. For students, it became one more way to connect gardening, nutrition, and hands-on learning. They especially love the sweet dressing on harvested lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and more.
In 2016, PLG expanded internationally to London, England, with support from Seeds of Change. The partnership extended the program’s impact and brought garden-based learning to even more students by installing 32 PLG gardens.
Then came 2020, a challenging year worldwide. Even in uncertainty, PLG, we were fortunate to build new partnerships with major collaborators, Delta and Cox. These collaborations have helped strengthen the program and progress toward an ambitious goal: reaching 100 gardens each year while also creating meaningful volunteer and celebration events that connect students, educators, and communities.
That same year, we also began a partnership with Fulfillment Strategies International to bring the many moving parts involved in bringing a successful school garden to life.
Major PLG collaborators since 2020, Delta and Cox also host celebratory, volunteer events at PLG gardens. In January of 2025, the Irvine Chinese Immersion Academy combined this event with the Chinese New Year celebration.
Since Project Learning Garden’s humble beginnings in 2012, we’ve trained more than 3,000 teachers to be Gardeneers, installed more than 750 gardens, and impacted over 533,000 youth in all 50 states, Canada, and the United Kingdom!
These numbers reflect more than growth. They represent classrooms transformed, students engaged, and school communities strengthened through garden-based learning.
So, where is Project Learning Garden headed next?
Hopefully, to a school near YOU! As we look ahead to PLG’s 15th Anniversary in 2027, we’re excited for even more growth, more celebration, giveaways expansion, and more opportunities to support educators and students through meaningful outdoor experiences!
Blissful gardening!