Become a Grower
Grow Food. Share Harvests. Change Lives.
For more than a decade, Katie’s Krops has empowered young people across the United States to grow edible gardens and share their harvests with neighbors facing food insecurity. What began with one cabbage and one dream has grown into a nationwide movement of young gardeners creating meaningful change in their communities.
Each year, from October through January 1st, we host our annual Grower Search, inviting youth ages 7 to 17 to apply to become official Katie’s Krops Growers.
As a Katie’s Krops Grower, you become part of a dedicated community of young leaders who are using gardening to help others while developing valuable skills that will last a lifetime.
Who Can Apply?
The Grower Search is open to youth ages 7 to 17 living in the United States who have a desire to help others and a passion for making a difference in their community.
We are looking for young leaders who are willing to make a long-term commitment to growing with Katie’s Krops. Our program is designed for youth who want to build and sustain a garden over multiple growing seasons, not just for a single harvest.
Whether you are an experienced gardener or planting your first seed, we encourage you to apply.
Each young grower is responsible for identifying and securing a location for their garden. Gardens may be planted in a backyard, at a school, church, library, community center, or another suitable space where the grower has permission to garden and can regularly care for their crops.
Grower Responsibilities
Katie’s Krops Growers:
- Grow and maintain an edible garden
- Donate their harvest to help neighbors facing food insecurity
- Follow Katie’s Krops growing guidelines
- Submit photos, harvest totals, and updates about their garden’s progress on a private website
These updates allow our team to provide support, celebrate accomplishments, and help growers continue to succeed.
What Growers Receive
Youth Selected to become Katie’s Krops Growers receive:
- Funding to start their garden
- Guidance and ongoing support from the Katie’s Krops team
- Opportunities to connect with fellow growers from across the country
- Eligibility for scholarships and leadership opportunities
- Eligibility to attend Katie’s Krops Camp
- The opportunity to receive continued support and funding year after year
Many of our growers have remained active members of the Katie’s Krops family for years. In fact, some have been growing, giving, and inspiring others through our program for more than a decade.
Growing Beyond the Garden
Being a Katie’s Krops Grower is about much more than growing fruits and vegetables. It is an opportunity to develop leadership skills, learn responsibility, connect with a community of like-minded young people, and experience the joy of helping others.
Growers in good standing are eligible for continued funding and support, allowing their gardens—and their impact—to grow year after year.
If you are ready to cultivate a garden, share your harvest, and become part of a nationwide movement of young people working to end hunger in their communities, we encourage you to apply during our next Grower Search.
Applications are accepted annually from October through January 1st to start a garden in the spring.
