BSP Families Learn and Bond at Garden to Table

BSP members and their families recently spent a sunny day surrounded by vegetables, herbs, and chickens at Garden to Table, a San Jose–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to teaching the community how to grow and maintain their own food. This hands-on educational field trip was part of BSP’s Family Engagement and College Readiness (FECR) program, which fosters family learning experiences that build skills, strengthen bonds, and inspire lifelong curiosity.

From the moment they arrived, participants were immersed in a variety of interactive activities designed to make gardening both fun and accessible. They learned the art of seed saving and propagation, practiced planting and maintaining vegetables, and discovered how to properly harvest produce. A favorite moment for many was meeting the garden’s friendly chickens, which the children (and quite a few parents) happily fed and held.

One of the most powerful aspects of the day was watching parents and children work side-by-side. Whether mixing soil to the right texture for planting, carefully cutting vegetables and herbs, or swapping tips on how to keep plants healthy, the experience became a shared journey of discovery.

The trip also unlocked personal memories for participants. One mother reflected, “Growing up in my home country, it was all farmland, so it unlocked a childhood memory.” Another attendee shared that she learned new techniques for caring for seasonal vegetables—skills she’s excited to use at home.

For BSP, the day was about more than gardening—it was about creating shared learning experiences that connect parents and children, spark curiosity, and encourage collaborative problem-solving. These are the very skills FECR aims to nurture, both in preparing students for college and in supporting lifelong family engagement.

This memorable day in the garden was made possible through the generosity of our supporters, including funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Thanks to this support, our families left not only with fresh knowledge but with deeper connections to one another—and a renewed appreciation for the simple joy of growing something together.