Teen Inspires Peers through Urban Garden Project.
March 18, 2025 by By Cathy Stack
COLUMBUS, Ohio—At age 16, Te’Lario Watkins already has years of entrepreneurial experience under his belt. In 2020, when he was just 12 years old, he started a program called the Garden Club Project that teaches youth about nutrition and how to grow fruits and vegetables in their school and community gardens.
He has since expanded the program to empower youth even more by teaching agriculture, entrepreneurship and work development skills.
Te’Lario discovered his joy for farming at the young age of seven when he learned to grow cat grass and basil as part of a Cub Scout project. Te’Lario now runs a farm business with his family called Tiger Mushroom Farms. They sell homegrown mushrooms to high-end local restaurants and to customers at farmer markets.
Inspired by his mission, a community member donated an acre of land to Te’Lario. The teen now leads the development of an urban garden on that land that will distribute its fresh produce to local food banks.
“My hope for the future is seeing organizations inspire people to eat healthier food and for people to grow their own food,” Te’Lario said.
The urban farm will also host educational workshops – another important component of its mission.
“We believe in the power of education to transform lives,” Te’Lario said of the Garden Club Project’s mission.
The farm and the Garden Club Project serve as shining examples of urban agriculture transforming communities. An estimated 72 billion pounds of food go to waste each year in the United States, according to the Feeding America organization. The Garden Club program has joined forces with national organizations in their collective commitment to reduce food waste and food insecurity.
Te’Lario partners with With Food Rescue US to pick up food donated by local restaurants and then distribute to local food banks. He also partners with No Kid Hungry to host fundraising events and to raise awareness about food insecurity.
He said that he hopes to inspire other young people to put their own passion into action to create a positive change.
“Don’t give up. Find mentors to motivate you and a cause you want to support,” Te’Lario said.
The Foundation for a Better Life and PassItOn believe that Te’Lario Watkins is a true hero for taking on a leadership role and inspiring the next generation for future success. His action is a great example of the value of being a role model. His inspirational story proves that you are never too young to make an impact. Please help us celebrate Te’Lario by sharing his inspiring story.
Click the link below to learn more about The Garden Club Project.
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