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"the spark"
2018
Plantlanta began with a simple idea: meet people where they are and invite them into the work.
In 2018, Cam Anderson, his brother Aaron, and a group of friends raffled off tickets to the A3C Hip-Hop Festival to rally students and young adults to volunteer with Metro Atlanta Urban Farm. What started as a grassroots volunteer push quickly grew into something bigger. Even drawing support from community leaders like Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, who showed up to lend a hand herself.
This moment set the tone for Plantlanta’s future: culture, community, and sustainability working together.
"recognition & momentum"
On October 28, 2019, Plantlanta received the Environmental Award from the Fulton County Citizens Commission on the Environment for “advocating for and exemplifying environmentally sound practices improving the lives of citizens of Fulton County.”
This recognition affirmed what the community already felt: that Plantlanta was building something meaningful, impactful, and worth investing in.
2019
"the pivot"
2020
When COVID hit, Plantlanta paused in-person volunteer events and shifted to building impact online. During this season, Plantlanta began brainstorming new digital ways to keep sustainability, creativity, and social entrepreneurship at the center
That summer, Plantlanta was selected as a winner of the SDG Projects in the Atlanta Community Grant through the RCE Greater Atlanta Youth Network, with funding support from the Turner Foundation. The grant supported youth-led projects advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on education, equity, and community action.
During this same period, Plantlanta launched Plant & Parlay — a bi-weekly podcast creating space for meaningful conversations with young social entrepreneurs using art, music, and pop culture to drive social change. The podcast became a new way to engage and mobilize young adults around sustainability, creativity, and civic leadership.
"PSU is Born"
(The First Takeover)
With the world reopening, Plantlanta returned to in-person work with a bold question:
What if a school’s entire curriculum could be replaced for a day with hands-on, sustainability-focused learning?
In 2021, that idea became reality. With a team of one and a network of collaborators, Plantlanta piloted the very first Plantlanta State University (PSU) at Oakley Elementary School. The full-day takeover centered environmental justice, health & wellness, creativity, and STEAM learning for underserved Title I students.
That “yes” from a school community marked the official birth of PSU.
2021
"Building Trust"
2022
Following the success of the first PSU, Plantlanta focused on refining and strengthening the experience. Workshop formats were improved, instructor partnerships deepened, and PSU evolved into a repeatable, school-ready model.
This year laid the foundation for Plantlanta’s long-term approach: immersive learning that blends sustainability, creativity, and youth leadership — delivered in ways schools could trust and return to.
"From Scrappy to Supported"
Plantlanta State University had grown beyond a one-off experiment into a trusted, repeatable program — but it was still largely powered by grit.
Up to this point, PSU events were funded out of pocket by the Plantlanta team, with partner schools stepping up to support materials, space, and logistics wherever possible. The work was happening because the community believed in it.
That year marked a turning point.
Plantlanta received its first dedicated grant to support PSU from Food Well Alliance! A milestone that signaled growing confidence from the broader food, agriculture, and education ecosystem. The funding helped support instructors and programming, while partnerships with educators, artists, farmers, and wellness practitioners continued to expand across Metro Atlanta.
This moment represented more than funding. It was validation. PSU was no longer just a bold idea sustained by passion; it was a program others were ready to invest in.
2023
"New Branches, Same Roots"
2024
In 2024, Plantlanta brought PSU to additional Metro Atlanta schools, including a major takeover at Kindezi at Gideons Elementary, continuing its commitment to Title I communities.
That same year, Plantlanta expanded beyond takeover days with the launch of STEM Stories, a new workshop spotlight developed in partnership with Alliance Theatre. STEM Stories blended interactive storytelling, literacy, and outdoor learning, activating school gardens as creative classrooms.
"Scaling With Courage"
(A Full-Circle Moment)
In 2025, Plantlanta took its biggest leap yet.
For the first time, Plantlanta State University served two schools in the same season, delivering full PSU takeovers at Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School and Kindezi at Gideons Elementary in May.
Up until then, PSU had been powered largely by personal investment, community trust, and schools willing to meet us halfway. Taking on two schools at once meant higher stakes...and real fear.
This year also marked a turning point, with partners like Microsoft and Toyota stepping in to support the work.
The moment came full circle when the 34th Mayor of the City of East Point Deana Holiday Ingraham, who had supported Plantlanta at its very first grassroots event, showed up once again, now alongside students and partners at a fully realized PSU.
This wasn’t just growth. It was choosing to say yes, even when it felt scary.
2025
"Still Growing"
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NOW
Today, Plantlanta continues to grow alongside the students, schools, and communities we serve.
With support from partners like Microsoft and in collaboration with Fulton and Douglas County Schools, we’re stepping into a new chapter. Expanding how students experience sustainability, creativity, and leadership both inside and beyond the classroom.
This season also marks another first: Plantlanta’s STEAM Community Block Party, bringing together students, families, educators, and partners in a shared celebration of learning, culture, and community.
Even as the work grows into new spaces, our focus stays the same – showing up with care, building trust, and creating room for young people to lead.
Because we’re not just growing programs...
We’re growing people.
#GrowingBetterLeaders