Our
mission at Global Gardens is to break the cycle of poverty and empower low-income students to become agents of change in their communities through inquiry-based science and peace education.
FY2022 was a big year for Global Gardens - we turned 15! Mayor Bynum issued a proclamation declaring January 28, 2022 to be “Global Gardens Day,” in recognition of the contributions that we - and our students - have made to our community over the past decade and a half.
This was a welcome opportunity for celebration during one of the more difficult years in recent memory, in which our staff worked tirelessly to help partner schools re-engage students and families after the height of the pandemic.
In July 2021, we joined Tulsa Public Schools’ Ready! Set! Summer! initiative, offering hands-on science enrichment to 1,034 students across the city. In September, we resumed in-person programming at all of our sites, expanding to Sequoyah, Patrick Henry, and Greenwood Leadership Academy in the spring.
Altogether, our team of skilled educators delivered high-quality garden-based programming to a total of 3,855 individuals at 25 sites in FY2022. Beyond these numbers, our impact can be seen in the changes created for students - curiosity nurtured, confidence built, attitudes shifted, gardens grown, and learners inspired.
We are proud to provide you, our community, with a record of this impact for FY2022. Thank you for sharing our vision and supporting our ongoing work with students and families. We’re excited and ready for the next 15 years.
Best wishes,
Maryann Donahue
Eugene Field Elementary
Rosa Parks Elementary
Asbury Corner
Unity Learning Academy
Greenwood Leadership Academy
Emerson Elementary Hawthorne Elementary
Sequoyah Elementary Mitchell Elementary
Patrick Henry Elementary McClure Elementary Robertson Elementary Monroe Demonstration Academy
Serves classes in grades preK-5 weekly through the school year. Each class cares for its own garden and has a seed-to-plate experience. Students work together on projects and experiments that align with OK science standards.
Free for students in grades 3-6. Participants earn and cultivate their own gardens while also engaging in discussion, journaling, selfreflection, cooking, creative activities, and community projects. After-school groups meet twice weekly from September through June.
Free for families and community members. Participants meet weekly year-round to garden, cook healthy meals, spend peaceful family time, and build community. Each family grows its own garden and works with others to cultivate shared spaces.
Free, short-term programming for students across Tulsa. Through weeklong camps and summer school enrichment, participants explore the garden ecosystem, harvest food, cook together, and engage in garden-related activities.
Customized assistance for schools that want support with garden-based learning. Offerings include consultation, lesson plans, and teacher training on peace education, inquiry-based learning, garden management, and more.
Partnerships with local schools, organizations, and groups that engage people of all ages in one-time, garden-related activities, including events, field trips, and educational presentations.
In FY2022, 98% of classroom teachers at our partner schools agreed that we had promoted their students’ curiosity and motivation to learn.
Over the past five years, 95% of students (n=194) who spent at least 8 weeks in our afterschool program reported gains on the STEM engagement scale of the Common Instrument Suite - Student Survey, developed by Partners in Education and Resilience (PEAR).
Through the process of scientific inquiry, students will become active learners.
Science is at the core of Global Gardens’ curriculum, which reinforces Oklahoma state science standards. But even more important than what our students learn, is how they learn.
Global Gardens’ programs engage students’ voices, hands, and minds in the real-world project of creating a garden together. From there, they use the garden as a space for student-led inquiry. Students’ own questions and ideas drive the curriculum, sparking investigation and problem solving.
Putting students in the driver’s seat builds their confidence, curiosity and intrinsic motivation to learn. The design of our programs naturally guides students to become active learners.
A normal gardener just puts things in the ground in a set order while the scientific gardener makes observations and tries new things.”
“
Juan , 6th grade
Global Gardeners exploring their garden!
Denise, 5th grade
By building caring relationships with themselves, others, and their gardens, participants will learn to spread peace in the world.
Global Gardens is rooted in the discipline of peace education, which emphasizes the dignity of all people and all living things. Our students practice peaceful methods of collaboration and conflict resolution, as well as strategies for relieving stress and sharing their emotions.
As their ability to manage inner and interpersonal conflict grows, students begin to form more trusting relationships with themselves and others. And they learn to apply their nurturing skills to their gardens, classmates, and community.
This foundation of trust and empathy deepens learning and fosters greater socialemotional well being. Students leave Global Gardens with a strong understanding of how to practice peace in their lives, inside and out.
In FY2022, after-school Global Gardeners (n=71) reported statistically significant positive change (p < 0.05) on the adult and peer relationships scales of the Common Instrument Suite - Student Survey, developed by Partners in Education and Resilience (PEAR).
In FY2022, 98% of classroom teachers at our partner schools stated that we fostered their students’ care and concern for the natural world
“We are all working towards the same goal: to become peaceful leaders who share peace and stand up for ourselves.”
By growing and preparing their own food, participants will improve their nutritional health.
Many people believe that kids don’t like vegetables, but we have found that they do, especially when given the chance to grow and prepare their own.
Nurturing a plant from seed requires attention, patience, and commitment. Our programs guide students every step of the way, from seed to plate. Students treasure the food in their gardens because they have built a caring relationship with it.
At harvest time, students have a real sense of excitement for tasting and sharing the food they have grown. By giving them opportunities to experiment with recipes, we build their confidence and self-efficacy in the kitchen.
By nurturing these attitudes and skills now, we are setting these students on the path to better nutritional health over a lifetime. Our family food farms increase our impact by bringing students’ families into the garden to grow and share organic produce.
“
In FY2022, after-school Global Gardeners (n=71) reported statistically significant positive change (p < 0.05) on the critical thinking and perseverance scales of the Common Instrument Suite - Student Survey, developed by Partners in Education and Resilience (PEAR).
In FY2022, 100% of surveyed classroom teachers agreed that Global Gardens promotes their students’ willingness to try new things
IMPACT GOAL #4
By learning to trust the power of their voices, students will become agents of change in their own lives and communities.
We know that our students’ ideas and actions are powerful. Our goal is to help them believe this, too.
In Global Gardens, I’m a chef, an artist, and a scientist. In the future, I’ll be a paleontologist!”
Penelope, 4th grade
Students begin by dreaming about the gardens they want to create. We guide them in setting goals for these gardens and taking the steps needed to achieve them. Through hard work and perseverance, they learn that they can make things grow.
The confidence that students develop in the garden carries over to other parts of their lives. We help them apply scientific thinking to social problems they see outside of the garden. And we give them space and support to test out new solutions.
Through this process, we equip students with the understanding that what they believe, say, and do can make a positive difference in the world.
Global Gardener Emmanuel Bambokile was featured in the April edition of TulsaKids Magazine.
Executive
Ellen Ralph, Chair
Meridian Resources
Denise Nassif, Vice Chair
Matrix Service Company
Nancy Bizjack
Community Volunteer
Elizabeth Bumgarner
Bumgarner Family Foundation
Jessica Button
ONEOK
Bradley Davis
Williams
Amy Gerald
University of Tulsa
Mike Henneke
Koch Engineered Solutions
Joy McDugle, Treasurer Hilti
Melissa Pasha, Secretary Gable Gotwals
Josh Linton
ONE Gas
Sara McMahon
Community Volunteer
Katrina Ormsby
Blue Cross Blue Shield of OK
Cori Powell
Community Volunteer
Debra Stockton
Helmerich & Payne
Bradley White Dassault Systèmes
In May 2022, Global Gardens engaged in a Board-led process to create a new three-year strategic plan. Key goals in the new plan include promoting employee retention and diversity/equity/inclusion, engaging alumni and family voices more intentionally in the organization, developing a new growth model, revisiting the Global Gardens Alliance business plan, and taking new steps forward with fundraising and community outreach. The Global Gardens Board will review progress quarterly to keep us on track over the next three years.
Maryann Donahue, Executive Director
Hannah Sipes, Development Director
Sara Haag, Community Outreach Director
Kalie Miller, Interim Program Director
Jenni Yoder, Interim Program Director
Sara Robinson, Operations/HR Manager
Over the past 15 years, Global Gardens has created positive change with more than 11,000 people due to the hard work and expertise of all of our talented team members. Our success in FY2022 - and every year - reflects their passion, integrity, and commitment to our mission.
Global Gardens exists because of the generosity of the Tulsa community. We are so grateful to our donors for their belief in our missions and their investment in our work.
Tulsa Area United Way
Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance
The Opportunity Project
Union Public Schools
Tulsa Public Schools
Choice NeighborhoodsRiver West
National Charity LeagueTulsa Midtown Chapter Food on the Move
Young Men’s Service League
- Tulsa Midtown Chapter
Tulsa Master Gardeners
Asbury Church
Gathering Place
Tulsa Farmers’ Market
Greenwood Farmers & Artisans Market
Oasis Fresh Market
Hunger Free Oklahoma Lilyfield
The Grow Society is a group of donors who have made three-year commitments of $1,000 or more to Global Gardens.
Amy Gerald
Andrea Bartlett
Ann & Steve Zenthoefer
Bonnie & Bob Darby
Bradley Davis
Carol and Ed Smith
Cori and Jesse Powell
Deborah & Jeff Hughes
Debra & Mike Stockton
Elizabeth Bumgarner
Ellen Ralph Hannah Jackson
Jess & Tom Biolchini
Jill & Steve Metcalf
Julia Karlak
Julia & David Leifeste
Karen & Bobby Darby
Karen & Sean Riley
Laura and Francois Cardinal
Laurel and Riley Carbone-Kern
Lisa & Dallas Morrisett
Liz Lazar
Margaret Erling
Melissa Pasha
Meredith Poling
Miya Boyken
Nancy and Paul Bizjack
Nina and John Hastings
Pam & Shelby Oakley
Sarah & Matt Miller
Sarah & Ryan Darby
Sarah Stewart
Sarah-Anne Schumann
Stephanie Stump
Susannah & Steve Brooks
Major Donors $25,000+
Asbury Church
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Bonnie & Bob Darby
Ed Darby Foundation
George Kaiser Family Foundation Matrix Service Company
The Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation
The Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
The Opportunity Project Tulsa Area United Way
Impact Donors $5000 - $24,999
Ascension St. John
Bumgarner Family Charitable Foundation
Cardinal Family Fund
Carol & Ed Smith
Cat & Matthew Newman
Citizen Energy III
City of Tulsa
Concept Builders, Inc.
Darby Equipment Company
David E. & Cassie L. Temple Foundation
Debra & Mike Stockton
Flint Family Foundation
Helmerich & Payne
Hille Foundation
Julie & John Nickel
Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation
Luxa Enterprises
Mary & Carter Johnson
McElroy Manufacturing
Mervin Bovaird Foundation
ONEOK Inc
Pat Gordon
QuikTrip
Sanford & Irene Burnstein Foundation
Sara & Jason McMahon
Sarah & Ryan Darby
Southern Agriculture
Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
TD Williamson
The Charles & Peggy Stephenson Family Foundation
The Maxine & Jack Zarrow Family Foundation
The Paul & Nancy Bizjack Family Foundation
The Sharna & Irvin Frank Foundation
Tulsa Dental Center
Tulsa Public Schools
Williams
Nurture Donors $1000 - $4999
AAON, Inc.
Amy Gerald
Ann & Steve Zenthoefer
Ann Weber
Anonymous
Anonymous Arvest Foundation
Cara Hair
Chanelle Michalopulos
Clayton Woodrum
Cori & Jesse Powell
Deborah & Jeff Hughes
Diane & John Randolph
Elizabeth Bumgarner
Ellen Ralph
Fayenelle S Helm
Gable Gotwals
Hamel Family Wines
Hannah Jackson
Hilti, Inc.
HF Sinclair
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James W Johnston
Janet McGehee
Jennifer & Robert Melton
Nina & John Hastings
Joy & Jarrett McDugle
Julia & David Leifeste
Juliet Golden Kathy & Bob West
Kelly & Cannen Ferrell
Kim & Robert Altier
KKT Architects
Lesley Bumgarner
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Mandy Horn
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Omni Air International
Osage Casino Hotel
Pam & Shelby Oakley
Reasor’s
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Sarah & Matt Miller
Schnake Turnbo Frank, Inc. Stanfield & O’Dell
Susan Lindberg
Susannah & Steve Brooks
Tallgrass Estate Planning
Thomas J Clifford
Tom & Jess Biolchini
TTCU Federal Credit Union
Tulsa Dream Center
Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Whole Kids Foundation
Harvest Donors $500 - $999
Alice Rodgers
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Artisan Fine Wine & Spirits
Bradley Davis
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David Lewis
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Jennifer & Jeremy Belford
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Kate Roderick
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Larry Creekmore
Lettuce Grow
Linda & Steve Caldwell
Living Kitchen Farm & Dairy
Lory Bryant
Magellan Midstream Partners
Mary & Brian Wheeler
Meredith Poling Mike Bartlett
Myra & Ronald Jeffris
Nancy Hermann Neely Wynn
Pam Stagner
Propeller Communications Rusty Edmiston
Sarah Hansel
Sarah Stewart
Sarah-Anne H Schumann
Shelby Beil
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Oklahoma Stacey Finnerty Tracy & Stephen Yoder Two Men & a Truck
Root Donors $100 - $499
Adrienne Choksi
Aiden Weeks
Alex & Brian Paschal
Amanda Turner Amber R Niemann
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Anonymous Black Moon Incorporated
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Brownwyn McLain Bryan Hawkins Carol Curry
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Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Heather Torgeson
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Milo’s Tea Company
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Susan Tremblay
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The Bee Cause Project
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Tulsa Garden Club Tulsa Tech
Vannessa Hoose Whole Foods
Seed Donors $1 - $99
Amazon Smile Foundation
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Ann Money
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