Who We Are
Mission & History
The Green Heart Project builds garden-based experiential learning projects and school garden programs to educate students connect people and cultivate community through growing, eating, and celebrating food.
The Green Heart Project was founded in 2009 as a small school garden at Mitchell Elementary School in downtown Charleston with the intention of reconnecting their students with fresh, locally-grown produce. As a Title-1 public school in a labeled food desert, the majority of Mitchell Elementary students come from low-income households that lack access to the whole, fresh fruits and vegetables that we all need to lead a healthy lifestyle. With this knowledge, local neighborhood residents Karalee Nielsen and Chauncey Jordan founded the Project with the hopes of changing those facts. Together with a group of friends, and an open-minded principal looking for alternative ways to teach and inspire, they devised a plan to build an urban garden with a group of 3rd grade students, utilizing the experience as a service-learning project to teach students the value of growing your own food.
In the first year, the Project quickly became more than an experiment in urban gardening. With students and volunteers working in the garden together, a mentorship was fostered. It was soon realized that the students were growing personally and socially, just as the vegetables were growing big in the garden. The urban farm became an organic example of an important life lesson -- through hard work, teamwork and respect for the process, you can literally bear the fruits of your labor. The volunteers became “Green Heart Buddies” – mentors students could count on and learn with as they worked together in the garden. And it is from this model in volunteer-assisted service-learning that the Green Heart Project's mission and educational program was founded.
Garden Locations
Mitchell Elementary School
2 Perry Street, Charleston, SC 29403
The Mitchell Elementary School Micro-Farm was our pilot project, planted in 2009. It has grown from 5 small raised beds in the schoolyard to encompass over 12,000 ft² of garden space, and includes a 5,500 ft² fully irrigated vegetable garden, a native species and herb garden, and a 35 tree fruit orchard (including citrus, papaya, figs, pomegranate and blueberries). Currently, every student at Mitchell receives Green Heart Project in-school programming, in addition to one after-school program. Their urban farm is also the site for our annual Harvest Dinner each year!
Sanders Clyde Creative Arts School
805 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Planted in January of 2015, by a group of After School students and dedicated Green Heart Buddies, the Sanders-Clyde garden consists of twelve raised beds, a composting area, as well as a native species garden bed. While only in the seedling stage, this garden will continue to grow and flourish along with our students! Currently, the students of Sanders-Clyde have one Green Heart after-school program.
Sullivan’s Island Elementary School
2015 I'on Avenue, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
Through a partnership with SeamonWhiteside, the Green Heart Project designed and built Sullivan’s Island Elementary 5 raised ‘wicking’ beds in the summer of 2015. It now serves the students of Sullivan’s Island Elementary with room to grow! Currently, there is a Green Heart program everyday of the week at SIES. We serve every grade through in-school programming, in addition to one after-school program and one “special interest unit” for 4th and 5th graders.
Meeting Street Academy at GrowFood Carolina
990 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
In August of 2015, the Green Heart Project adopted GrowFood Carolina’s demonstration garden to facilitate a farm-to-school program for the students of neighboring, Meeting Street Academy. It consists of 5 irrigated raised beds, herb garden, composting station some fruit trees a muscadine vine. Currently, MSA has a Green Heart after-school program every day of the week, serving Kindergarten, 1st Grade and one group of 2nd-5th Graders.
Meeting Street Elementary at Brentwood
2685 Leeds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
Through a partnership with SeamonWhiteside, the Green Heart Project designed and built Meeting Street Elementary’s 5 raised wicking beds in the summer of 2015. It now serves the students of Meeting Street Elementary with room to grow! Currently, MSE-B has two Green Heart after-school programs serving both lower elementary and upper elementary students.
Memminger Elementary School
20 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401
Memminger School of Global Studies is our newest program site! As an International Baccalaureate school, the Green Heart Project programming was a perfect fit. Launched in Fall 2017 with the help of the Charitable Society of Charleston and the SC Ports Authority, we were able to complete a summer garden re-build. Currently we provide two after-school programs for upper elementary and lower elementary students, three in-school programs for the 1st graders at Memminger.
Meeting Street Elementary at Burns
3750 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405
James Simons Montessori School
741 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Charleston Catholic School
888 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Charleston Charter School for Math & Science
1002 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Compass Collegiate Academy
34 Race St, Charleston, SC 29403
Daniel Island School – Affiliate
2365 Daniel Island Dr, Charleston, SC 29492
St. Andrews School for Math & Science – Affiliate
30 Chadwick Dr, Charleston, SC 29407
Ashley River Creative Arts – Affiliate
1871 Wallace School Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
Carolina Youth Development Center – Affiliate
5055 Lackawanna Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29405
Burke High School
244 President Street, Charleston, SC, 29403
Pepperhill Elementary School
3300 Creola Road, North Charleston, SC, 29420
Green Heart Team
Jesse Blom
Executive Director
Jesse serves the Green Heart Project as its Executive Director, overseeing all facets of the organization. For more than a decade, Jesse has used urban agriculture as a tool for building community and for inspiring curiosity and learning in people of all ages. Prior to joining the Green Heart Project, he managed an educational urban farm project for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD and before then, led urban agriculture, education, and training projects for Sweet Water Foundation in his hometown of Milwaukee, WI. Jesse is honored to be serving the Charleston community and would love to hear from you. You can reach him directly at jesse@greenheartsc.org.
Amanda Howell
Development Director
Amanda’s passions for education, social justice and all-things-food are what brought her to The Green Heart Project. Earlier in her career, she was a classroom teacher with Teach for America in Oakland, CA, and later relocated to the Carolinas to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill. Here she focused on planning & evaluating school-based obesity prevention initiatives, especially those that included gardening and cooking enhanced nutrition education. Amanda served as Green Heart’s Program Director for three years, and is excited to continue investing the community in the GHP mission through her new role as Development Director. amanda@greenheartsc.org
Kenai McFadden
Youth Development Program Director
Kenai returned to his home state of South Carolina to serve as the Youth Development Program Director for the Green Heart Project after six years of public health training. He brings with him experiences from Houston, Baltimore, and Atlanta, where he delivered health education programs, pursued a public health degree, practiced as an urban farmer, and communicated about outbreaks. He believes that food is a powerful vehicle for facilitating health behavior change. Kenai loves Charleston so far and enjoys expressing himself through dancing, chess, and roller skating. kenai@greenheartsc.org
Kimberly Perrineau-Jackson
Operations Director
The idea that everyone has the right to healthy food and her growing interest in the collaboration of agriculture and community, led Kimberly to The Green Heart Project. In her role as Operations Manager she intends to enhance awareness of growing food and the important role it serves. She believes that cultivating communities through commitment, collaborative learning and humility among other things, will assist in her efforts. She is excited about this opportunity and looks forward to being a part of the Team! When not at Green Heart, you can find her tutoring youth, working with the family business, attending football games and spending time with her husband and children. kim@greenheartsc.org
Allie Astor
Farm to School Program Director
A love of the outdoors and interest in food and sustainability first brought Allie to the Green Heart Project during her freshman year at the College of Charleston. Throughout her time at CofC, she volunteered as a Buddy and completed a semester-long internship with Green Heart, which helped develop a love for the gardens and foster a strong connection to students, staff and the Green Heart community as a whole. After leaving the Charleston area for a year after her graduation to work in Boston, Allie quickly found her way back to the Green Heart Project. She is passionate about fostering a strong community around our gardens and instilling a culture of respect for ourselves, each other and the earth. allie@greenheartsc.org
Sean Murray
Farmer
Sean is a passionate farmer who loves his local community. In 2015, upon completing the Growing New Farmers program through College of Charleston he began his farming career. Sean operated Murray Heirlooms, a farm focused on growing organic, heirloom vegetables for some of the best restaurants in Charleston. He is excited to join the Green Heart team and share his knowledge with others in the community. He hopes to inspire a new generation to understand where their food comes from. When Sean’s hands aren’t in the dirt he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and watching the Boston Red Sox. sean@greenheartsc.org
Erin Snow
Garden Educator & Development Coordinator
Erin has been an elementary school teacher for the last 10 years. Her Kindergarten class became part of the first group of students to participate in The Green Heart Project at Meeting Street Academy in 2015, and she has been a champion of the program ever since. One of her favorite qualities in others is curiosity, and she loves the way a garden sparks endless questions in kiddos and adults! erin@greenheartsc.org
Nicole Kleinas
Garden Educator
Nicole’s background in ecology, coupled with her passion for sustainable food systems, brought her to The Green Heart Project. After working as a research scientist and completing her Master’s degree in Biology, she shifted her focus toward environmental education and outreach by leading education programs at a botanic garden in Georgia. She believes that gardening and growing one’s food facilitates a deep connection with the environment and serves as an effective platform by which to educate people about ecology. Nicole is eager to work with students and volunteers in the garden to cultivate deeper appreciation of the natural world. nicole@greenheartsc.org
Whitney Anderson
Garden Educator
Whitney is originally from Charleston, SC. With a background working in non-profits, her passion for social justice, working with kids, and the outdoors has led her to The Green Heart Project. She is super excited to start growing food with the community! whitney@greenheartsc.org
Jane Rice
Garden Educator
Jane first found an interest in gardening while in school at Roanoke College participating in the garden club. She has a background in environmental education, and working with students both inside and outside of the classroom. Jane loves bees and trying new food! 🐝 jane@greenheartsc.org
Suzanna Ellison
Garden Educator
Zanna has been farming since 2016 when she participated in the program World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Since then, she has graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Biology, and volunteered with over a dozen farm and garden projects with sustainable food access as the focus. With experience doing ecological surveys, garden education, and urban farming, she is passionate about making growing food more accessible. suzanna@greenheartsc.org
Board of Directors
Ann Calhoun (President)
Caroline Rion (Vice President / Development Chair)
Scott Sasser (Treasurer / Past President / Finance Chair)
Kaitlin F. DaPore (Secretary)
Karalee Nielsen Fallert (Founder)
Morneek Bellinger-Holloway
Temitope Leyimu
Annie Kouba
Dr. Brittany Bryant
Jarvis White
Partners
SeamonWhiteside
Green Heart Partner
SeamonWhiteside is a leader of environmentally conscious, low-impact advancements in engineering and site design. SW blends civil engineering and landscape architecture to create holistic and sustainable environments.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA)
Green Heart Partner
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Their mission is to deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world.
Community Sponsors
Garden Sponsors
Ann & Jim Calhoun
Garden Sponsor
Pathfinder Foundation
Garden Sponsor
Roper St. Francis Hospital
Garden Sponsor
Basic Kitchen
Garden Sponsor
Revelry Brewing Company
Garden Sponsor
Charles Howell & Linda Maninger
Garden Sponsor
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Garden Sponsor
The Boeing Company
Garden Sponsor
James J. & Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation
Garden Sponsor
Kuznik Charitable Foundation
Garden Sponsor
County of Charleston
Garden Sponsor
Guffey Family Foundation
Garden Sponsor
James J. & Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation
Garden Sponsor
Harriett McDougal
Garden Sponsor
Westin and Marie Lord
Garden Sponsor
Coastal Community Foundation
Garden Sponsor
Program Sponsors
Kelly & Sean McGinty
Program Sponsor
The Agricultural Society of S.C.
Program Sponsor
Brad & Jola Newman
Program Sponsor
Banks Construction
Program Sponsor
Blue Ion
Program Sponsor
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Program Sponsor
Cooper River Bridge Run
Program Sponsor
Gaia Fund
Program Sponsor
Jean & James Rion Endowment of Coastal Community Foundation
Program Sponsor
Timothy R Liptak, DMD
Program Sponsor
James Dyke
Program Sponsor
Motley Rice
Program Sponsor
Susan Pearlstine
Program Sponsor
Robert L. & Mary J. Bartlett Foundation
Program Sponsor
SC Ports Authority
Program Sponsor
Sisters of Charity SC Foundation
Program Sponsor
TD Charitable Foundation
Program Sponsor
The DeeAnnFlores Schertz Foundation
Program Sponsor
Homegrown Hospitality
Program Sponsor
The Ripple Fund
Program Sponsor
Jerry Scheer
Program Sponsor
CLAY LUTON
Program Sponsor
FRANCIE & JOHN DOWNING
Program Sponsor
ICL Specialty Fertilizers
Program Sponsor
Kate Ritchie Charitable Fund of Foundation For The Carolinas
Program Sponsor
L. Russell Bennett Investment
Program Sponsor
MacNaughton Family Fund
Program Sponsor
Mira Winery
Program Sponsor
Morrison Yard
Program Sponsor
Studs, Inc.
Program Sponsor
Terri Henning
Program Sponsor
The Ceres Foundation
Program Sponsor
Class Sponsor
Caroline Rion
Holy City Children
Sean Murray
Meeting Street Lofts
Harriett E. Lee
Douglas & Frances Blom
Rich Yessian
Whole Kids Foundation
Fandiem
GrowFood Carolina
The Timber Shop
American Heart Association
Boeing ECF
Lowcountry Food Bank
Alex Opoulos
Ashley Rini
South State Bank
Sysco
Scott Sasser
Home Community Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SC
Stephen Hanson
Austin and Jenna Elliot
Christ Our King Catholic Church
Beemok Family Foundation
Libby Smith
Oliver Gates
Liam and Adelie Duffy
Harriett Lee
Accountfully
Exchange Club of Charleston
Greystar
Loren Ziff and Michael Rabin
Rhapsody Fitness
Brittany and Marcus Bryant
Gia Rose Winchester
Ruth Barrow
Tope Leyimu
Grace Church Cathedral
Nathan K Harrison
Kendra Stewart
Solid Ground Electric
William Melvin Brown, III
Phicas Foundation
Stephanie Poteet
The Matching Fund Org
Daniel Island Community Fund
Meredith Ebenhoeh
Battelle
Daniel Berler
James August Biondi
Bryan & Anna Blom
Boomtown!
Sayre Briele
Melissa Britton
Charleston City Paper
Charleston Horticultural Society
Chip & Coleman Legerton
David Aylor Law Offices
Dr. B Gut Health
Monifa Ellington
Eventworks LLC
Deborah Fisher
Free Fly
Half Moon Outfitters
Ingevity
John Hooff
Peter & Cynthia Kellogg
Law Office of Alex Toporek
Dionne Louden
Erin Magee & Eric Knight
Marshall Walker Real Estate
Sam & Carly Moore
Post House
Michael Rabin
Sea-Green Farm
Seamon Whiteside
ServisFirst Bank
Elizabeth Smith
South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Southern Environmental Law Center
SURV
Phillips Family Fund
The John M. Rivers, Jr. Foundation
Martha and Jeff LeVeen
Agency 21 Consulting
Foote Family Charitable Fund
The Cassina Group
The Dampop Fund
Vanguard Charitable
Williams & Walsh Law Firm
Nancy Pickard
Temitope Leyimu
Weston Fennell
Stephanie Johnson
Magnolia Plantation Foundation
Abigail Walsh
Layton Register
Erin Ziegler
Jacien Steele
Atlantic Shield Insurance Group