Ryan Koch

Ryan Koch started a not-for-profit called Seedleaf, which educates children about the environment through the creation of neighborhood gardens. He has built 16 free u-pick gardens in low-income areas by partnering with civic groups in the city. Children learn the benefits of hands-on-gardening and sell their produce to local restaurants, then take field trips to the restaurants to enjoy the fruits of their labor. He is known for “cultivating attention and affection for particular places, plants, animals, and soil.” In addition, he has piloted garden, cooking, and other food literacy programs at Growing Together Preschool, Sayre School, and the Lexington Parks and Recreation after-school program at the Gainesway Community Center.