08/19/2026
We’re incredibly grateful to the Whole Kids Foundation for supporting our continued work at the former Henderson Middle & High School… now the Rowan Achievement Center! 🌱
To receive national recognition is a really big deal to us!!
Since 2017, Henderson has been Happy Roots’ first and longest-running school garden location. We’ve grown alongside the students there, while using what we’ve learned to help create and support dozens of school and community gardens across Rowan County.🌱
As we’re making rounds mowing, weed-whacking, delivering and repairing beds, delivering soil and supplies, and coordinating with teachers getting ready for another growing season, it’s important to remind folks of something:
Happy Roots is not funded by Rowan-Salisbury Schools or any other entity. While sustainable school-system support has long been and remains a goal, this work has been made possible by grants, donations, fundraising, and the support of our community.
As we head into Happy Roots’ 10th YEAR, our goal is to continue supporting 11 of our long-running school gardens while working toward another 10 already on our list!
But the impact doesn’t stop at the schools…
This intergenerational work has woven its way throughout our community… from school gardens to after-school programs and summer camps, assisted living communities and shelters, community gardens, free produce, free home garden kits, neighborhood cookouts, workshops, community events, and soon OUR FARM!🌻
Along with Whole Kids Foundation, we want to recognize the local foundations whose support has made this all possible over the years:
🌱 The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation
🌱 Salisbury-Rowan Community Foundation
🌱 Margaret C. Woodson Foundation
We truly could not have done it without them… or without the donors, volunteers, businesses, teachers, families, and community partners who continue to believe in this mission.
As we look toward the next 10 years, the need for this work is only growing. With increased food insecurity, farmland and habitats disappearing, both physical and mental health concerns on the rise, teaching the next generation to grow food and heal themselves in nature is an investment in the health and resilience of our entire community.
Now that you know how this work happens, please help us keep it going and growing. 🌱
Donate, volunteer… buy soil, merch, plants… We need your support in any way possible!
Thank you all!
