Los Angeles, CA and Freeport, ME (May 5, 2025) — Mizzen Education and Farm to Table Kids have joined forces to introduce nature-based learning resources to out-of-school time educators nationwide on the MIzzen platform. Starting today, half a million educators can access this free collection to bring gardening to life for students in afterschool programs, summer camps, libraries, and schools.
In saddle-brown overalls, and with a radiant smile, Stephanie McDonough sorts through a tangle of dahlia tubers. These clumps of tubers and roots, like upside-down potato bouquets, are ready to be trimmed, divided, and stored for the season. For Stephanie (“Farmer Steph”), the crop will yield far more than beautiful blooms; it will open doors for children to discover nature through the joy of gardening.
“We find what lights your heart in nature through organic farming, farm-to-table cooking, and nature crafting. I love working with kids in the garden because it’s a place where kids and adults are empowered.” — Stephanie (Farmer Steph) McDonough, Founder, Farm to Table Kids
That’s the power of Farm to Table Kids, an educational platform Farmer Steph founded 15 years ago that helps children discover deep connections with nature—through regenerative farming, farm-to-table cooking, and nature-based crafting. Now, with the release of two new collections on Mizzen’s digital platform, out-of-school time educators everywhere can dig into learning adventures that cultivate student curiosity, creativity, and real connections with nature.
"Farmer Steph and Farm to Table Kids cultivate a fun skill-based learning environment that provides youth and educators core competencies in farming through a lens of academic enrichment. This curriculum is just the start of our learning journey in horticulture. We look forward to seeing “Green Thumbs” sprout throughout the OST community." — Angelina Garner, Vice President of Strategic Innovation and Partnerships, Mizzen Education
Things to Know Before You Grow: The Ultimate Garden Toolkit for Educators and Kids (grades 4-8) equips educators with youth-tested lesson plans on sustainable farming, hardiness zones, protecting plants from frost, and designing successful school gardens.
How to Grow Dahlias (grades 5-8) follows the full life cycle of a dahlia, from inspecting tubers in spring to planting and harvesting show-stopping blooms, and digging up, dividing and storing tubers for the next season.
Each module is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and supplemented with pro tips, lesson variations, downloadable worksheets, and “how-to” videos from Farmer Steph.
Educators can access the full series by creating a free account on Mizzen Education.
To celebrate educators—and all the people who help us grow—Farm to Table Kids and Mizzen are teaming up for a special “Dahlia Days Giveaway” in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and the launch of Module 2. Follow @mizzeneducation and @farmtotablekids on social media for entry details.
Research consistently shows that learning in natural environments enhances children's academic performance and fuels their love for discovery. These new resources, rooted in science, organic farming, and floriculture, help educators create hands-on experiences that boost students’ confidence in STEM—and cultivate curiosity, growth, and joy.
About Mizzen Education
Mizzen Education is a 501(c)3 nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift, and support out-of-school time educators. Built with practitioners, its digital platform of curated learning resources offers thousands of K-12 activities—for free—that spark curiosity, joy, and a love of learning for young people everywhere.
About Farm to Table Kids
Farm to Table Kids (FTTK) is an educational platform that helps children discover what lights their heart in nature—through regenerative farming, farm-to-table cooking, and nature-based crafting. Whether planting seeds in the soil or in students’ imaginations, FTTK’s mission is to connect kids to the rhythms of nature through joyful, inclusive, hands-on learning.
Media Contacts
Kristin Stayer / kristin@mizzen.org
Stephanie McDonough / farmtotablekids@gmail.com
*Giveaway ends May 18, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT. Open to U.S. residents 18+. No purchase necessary. Three winners will be chosen at random and contacted via DM. Each will receive a flower bulb prize pack from Farm to Table Kids. Shared photos may be featured on Mizzen’s channels. Not affiliated with or sponsored by Instagram.