Who We Are | The Green Heart Project

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

Sanders Clyde Creative Arts School

805 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

Sullivan’s Island Elementary School

2015 I'on Avenue, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

Meeting Street Academy at Singleton Park

Corner of Nassau and Conroy Streets, Charleston, SC 29403

Meeting Street Elementary at Brentwood

2685 Leeds Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Memminger Elementary School

20 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401

Meeting Street Elementary at Burns

3750 Dorchester Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405

James Simons Montessori School

(use the Urban Farm at Enston Home as a school garden)

Charleston Catholic School

(use the Urban Farm at Enston Home as a school garden)

Burke High School

244 President Street, Charleston, SC, 29403

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.

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

Kevin Dougherty

Program Manager

Kevin is the Program Manager of the Farm to School and the Youth Development programs. He joined Green Heart after lengthy careers in the Army and higher education, as well as some fledgling experience in the non-profit sector. He was attracted to Green Heart because it allows him to help young people develop respect for themselves, their buddies, and the Earth. He has combined his twin interests in history and leadership into several books, including Leading Like the Swamp Fox: The Leadership Lessons of Francis Marion and Principled Leadership: Theory and Case Studies. He is very proud of his wife, son, daughter, and foster daughter! kevin@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

Development Coordinator

Before joining the Green Heart team full-time, Erin was an elementary school teacher for 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 organization 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! As a member of the Development Team, Erin enjoys working closely with Green Heart’s amazing community of supporters – the generous volunteers and donors who make our work possible. erin@greenheartsc.org

Jane Rice

Senior Garden Educator

Jane has been with Green Heart since Fall of 2022. She is a Charleston native and is thrilled to be serving her community as Senior Garden Educator. She has an Environmental Studies degree from Roanoke College where she participated in the college’s Garden Club and was President of the BeeKeeping Society. She has worked with students in many capacities including tutoring students with City Year San Antonio and working for CCSD. While not out in the gardens you can find her buzzing around town trying new restaurants or walking on the beach! jane@greenheartsc.org

Amy Lepping

Garden Educator

Amy has been teaching for over 20 years, working with elementary, middle, and high school students. Although she majored in art in college, her passion for education led her to pursue her Masters in Elementary Education with a double concentration in science and reading. She has also earned National Board Certification and has been involved in STEAM curriculum development for schools in NJ. Throughout her career, Amy has focused on providing her students with fun, hands-on experiences to help them think critically and express their creativity. She and her students have teamed up with local environmental groups, not only because she values community connection and environmental awareness, but also for the unique learning experiences for her students. As a passionate gardener, she’s excited to keep learning and growing food with the Green Heart community. amy@greenheartsc.org

Xavier McDaniel

Farm and Garden Assistant

Xavier has been working with Green Heart since 2021, when he first joined our summer Youth Internship Program. Throughout his time with Green Heart, Xavier has held various positions, developed a strong foundation in farming and has connected with the communities around him. Most recently, he served as a Crew Leader for the Summer 2024 Youth Internship Program. Xavier graduated from Charleston Charter School for Math and Science in 2022 and was also part of the first graduating class at Meeting Street Academy Charleston, one of Green Heart’s parter school. He has a passion for farming and gardening that stemmed from his love for flowers and has led him into photography, which he’s excited to continue to pursue while working in this role! xavier@greenheartsc.org

Lilly Smith

Garden Educator

Lilly brings with her a passion for hands-on learning and community connection. A recent graduate of the College of Charleston, she has a background in recreation and education. Most recently, she worked as a Recreation Leader for the City of Charleston’s Department of Recreation, where she led youth programs that blended play, creativity, and nature-based exploration. Lilly also has experience in the nonprofit and retail sectors, and she’s committed to creating inclusive, joyful spaces where young people can grow and thrive. A strong believer in the power of outdoor education, she’s excited to help students connect with their food, their community, and the natural world. When she’s not in the garden, you can find her exploring local parks or baking something sweet to share.

Sam Wickersham

Green Heart Apprentice

Sam joins the team as an apprentice, a new face on the team. While he was raised in Kansas, he was born in Georgia. During his time in Kansas, he served for nearly a decade in the Army National Guard. His education is in sociology and business, and he also has a wide background in various trades; in fact, he started his own mushroom farm. While in college in Manhattan, he helped form the Student Veterans of America chapter. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and being outdoors, which is a big reason why he’s so excited to start this role. Another key motivator for him is community building. He’s a people person and finds fulfillment in helping others.