The Young Gardener's Program is one of several programs operated by the local nonprofit organization Galveston's Own Farmer's Market. Established in 2017, the Young Gardener's Program's mission is to cultivate a community of healthy and happy young people by encouraging them to put their hands in the dirt, eat well, and learn the transformative power of growing their own food. The program integrates high-production gardeners and an advanced S.T.E.A.M.-based curriculum into the afterschool programming at Galveston Independent School District. With the support of community volunteers, school district, administration, staff, local families, and enthusiastic students, the Young Gardeners Program sends children home with an average of one pound of garden-harvested vegetables every week and educates them in every step of garden steward. The program is currently offered at nine G.I.S.D. Schools. Austin and Central Middle School, Burnet, Crenshaw, LA Morgan, Oppie, Parker, and Rosenberg Elementary, as well as Weiss Academy, as part of the Daily after school program. The Young Gardner's program also offers a spring and summer Green Careers internship program for Ball High Seniors and partners with G.I.S.D. Child Nutrition Department to provide local fresh vegetable side dishes on the cafeteria lunch menu throughout the year. At the Young Gardener's Program, students learn the importance of working with others towards a common goal, gain practical life skills, like the ability to grow food and cook nourishing meals, and develop a sense of self.