Who are the key staff members at GROW La Crosse. How does GROW La Crosse impact children’s education and nutrition. What programs does GROW La Crosse offer to promote sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits. How can community members get involved with GROW La Crosse’s initiatives.
The Visionaries Behind GROW La Crosse: Meet the Dedicated Staff
GROW La Crosse, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating, boasts a team of passionate professionals committed to nurturing young minds. Let’s explore the key staff members driving this innovative initiative:
- Kari Bersagel-Braley: Executive Director & Co-Founder
- Bonnie Martin: Communication & Outreach Coordinator
- Ana Skemp: Garden Educator & Farm Experiences Director
- Sam Petersen: Operations Manager
- Amy Sherrill: Garden Educator
- Shelly Staehly: Garden Educator
- LaKiah McCallson: Garden Educator
- Cameryn Koch: Garden Educator
Each team member brings a unique set of skills and experiences to GROW La Crosse, contributing to the organization’s success in fostering a love for sustainable agriculture and healthy living among children in the La Crosse community.
Cultivating Minds: GROW La Crosse’s Educational Approach
GROW La Crosse’s educational philosophy centers on experiential learning, allowing children to engage directly with nature and agricultural processes. How does this hands-on approach benefit young learners? By immersing children in gardening activities, GROW La Crosse helps develop critical thinking skills, environmental awareness, and a deeper understanding of food systems.
The organization’s garden educators, such as Ana Skemp and Amy Sherrill, incorporate scientific concepts into their lessons, teaching children about plant biology, ecology, and nutrition. This interdisciplinary approach not only enhances children’s academic knowledge but also fosters a lifelong appreciation for sustainable living practices.
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Children with Their Food Sources
One of GROW La Crosse’s primary goals is to help children understand the origin of their food. Why is this connection important? By educating young people about food production, GROW La Crosse empowers them to make informed decisions about their diet and develop a greater appreciation for locally sourced, nutritious foods.
Through programs like farm experiences and cooking classes, children learn about the entire food cycle – from planting seeds to harvesting crops and preparing meals. This comprehensive approach helps combat the disconnect many urban children experience with their food sources, promoting healthier eating habits and environmental stewardship.
From Classroom to Garden: GROW La Crosse’s Innovative Programs
GROW La Crosse offers a variety of programs designed to engage children in sustainable agriculture and healthy living. These initiatives include:
- School garden programs
- Farm experiences
- Cooking classes
- Summer camps
- After-school activities
Each program is tailored to provide age-appropriate, hands-on learning experiences that complement classroom education. How do these programs impact children’s overall development? By participating in GROW La Crosse’s initiatives, children develop practical skills, enhance their knowledge of science and nutrition, and cultivate a sense of environmental responsibility.
The School Garden Revolution: Bringing Nature to the Classroom
GROW La Crosse’s school garden programs are at the heart of their educational efforts. These gardens serve as living laboratories, allowing students to observe plant growth, learn about ecosystems, and understand the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. Garden educators like Shelly Staehly and LaKiah McCallson work closely with schools to integrate garden-based learning into existing curricula, enhancing students’ academic experience while promoting healthy lifestyle choices.
Beyond the Garden: GROW La Crosse’s Community Impact
GROW La Crosse’s influence extends beyond school gardens and into the broader community. How does the organization engage with local residents and businesses? Through partnerships with local farms, markets, and community organizations, GROW La Crosse creates a network of support for sustainable agriculture and healthy living initiatives.
The organization’s outreach efforts, led by Communication & Outreach Coordinator Bonnie Martin, include community events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. These activities not only raise awareness about GROW La Crosse’s mission but also foster a sense of community around sustainable food practices.
Cultivating Future Leaders: GROW La Crosse’s Long-term Vision
By investing in children’s education today, GROW La Crosse aims to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious, health-oriented individuals. How does this approach benefit society in the long run? As children grow into adults with a deep understanding of sustainable agriculture and healthy living, they are more likely to make environmentally responsible choices and advocate for sustainable practices in their communities.
The Green Team: GROW La Crosse’s Dedicated Educators
At the core of GROW La Crosse’s success are its talented and passionate garden educators. These individuals bring diverse backgrounds and expertise to their roles, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience for participating children. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key educators:
Ana Skemp: Bridging Biology and Agriculture
As the Garden Educator & Farm Experiences Director, Ana Skemp leverages her background in biology and ecology to provide in-depth learning experiences. Her approach goes beyond basic gardening, delving into complex concepts like photosynthesis and plant biology. Ana’s dual expertise as a farmer and educator allows her to offer unique insights into sustainable farming practices and the science behind food production.
Amy Sherrill: Bringing Farm Life to the Classroom
Amy Sherrill’s background in animal science and her experience growing up on a family farm make her an invaluable asset to GROW La Crosse. Her approach to garden education emphasizes the connection between agriculture and everyday life, helping children understand the broader impact of sustainable farming practices. Amy’s experience as a substitute teacher also enables her to effectively integrate garden-based learning into traditional educational settings.
Shelly Staehly: Nurturing a Love for Learning
With a background in education and a passion for gardening, Shelly Staehly brings a unique perspective to GROW La Crosse. Her teaching philosophy centers on fostering a love for learning in all subjects, with a particular emphasis on healthy eating and sustainable living. Shelly’s experience as both an educator and a parent allows her to create engaging, age-appropriate lessons that resonate with children and their families.
LaKiah McCallson: Cultivating Curiosity in Nature
LaKiah McCallson’s diverse background in communication and teaching English to speakers of other languages brings a fresh perspective to GROW La Crosse’s educational programs. Her approach focuses on nurturing children’s natural curiosity about the world around them, using gardening as a vehicle for broader learning experiences. LaKiah’s expertise in intercultural communication also helps GROW La Crosse reach a diverse audience of learners.
Sowing Seeds of Change: GROW La Crosse’s Innovative Approach to Health and Nutrition
GROW La Crosse’s programs go beyond simply teaching children how to garden; they address broader issues of health and nutrition in the community. How does the organization tackle these complex topics? By integrating nutrition education into their gardening programs, GROW La Crosse helps children develop a holistic understanding of food and its impact on health.
The organization’s cooking classes, led by experienced educators like Ana Skemp, teach children how to prepare nutritious meals using fresh, locally grown ingredients. This hands-on approach not only develops practical cooking skills but also encourages children to make healthier food choices in their daily lives.
Addressing Food Insecurity: GROW La Crosse’s Community Outreach
GROW La Crosse recognizes that access to fresh, healthy food is a challenge for many families in the community. How does the organization address this issue? Through partnerships with local food banks and community organizations, GROW La Crosse works to increase access to fresh produce for families in need. The organization’s school garden programs often include provisions for donating excess produce to local food pantries, teaching children about the importance of community service while addressing food insecurity.
Cultivating Partnerships: GROW La Crosse’s Collaborative Approach
GROW La Crosse’s success is built on strong partnerships with various stakeholders in the community. How does the organization leverage these relationships to enhance its impact? By collaborating with schools, local farms, businesses, and other non-profit organizations, GROW La Crosse creates a robust network of support for its initiatives.
- Schools: GROW La Crosse works closely with local schools to integrate garden-based learning into existing curricula.
- Local farms: Partnerships with farms like Deep Roots Community Farm provide opportunities for children to experience larger-scale agricultural operations.
- Businesses: Local businesses support GROW La Crosse through sponsorships, in-kind donations, and volunteer efforts.
- Non-profit organizations: Collaborations with other non-profits help GROW La Crosse extend its reach and address broader community issues.
These partnerships not only enhance the quality and scope of GROW La Crosse’s programs but also help create a more sustainable, interconnected community food system.
The Role of Volunteers in GROW La Crosse’s Success
Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting GROW La Crosse’s mission. How does the organization engage and retain volunteers? GROW La Crosse offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, from assisting with garden maintenance to helping with educational programs and community events. The organization’s volunteer program, coordinated by Bonnie Martin, provides training and support to ensure a rewarding experience for all participants.
Measuring Success: GROW La Crosse’s Impact on the Community
Quantifying the impact of educational programs can be challenging, but GROW La Crosse employs various methods to assess the effectiveness of its initiatives. How does the organization measure its success? GROW La Crosse uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics to evaluate its programs, including:
- Number of children and schools served
- Improvements in children’s knowledge of gardening and nutrition
- Changes in eating habits and attitudes towards healthy foods
- Feedback from teachers, parents, and community partners
- Amount of produce grown and donated to local food banks
By regularly assessing and refining its programs, GROW La Crosse ensures that it continues to meet the evolving needs of the community while staying true to its core mission of educating children about sustainable agriculture and healthy living.
Success Stories: GROW La Crosse’s Impact on Individual Lives
While statistics provide valuable insights, the true measure of GROW La Crosse’s success lies in the individual stories of children and families whose lives have been positively impacted by the organization’s programs. From children discovering a newfound love for vegetables to families starting their own gardens at home, these personal narratives illustrate the far-reaching effects of GROW La Crosse’s work in the community.
Looking to the Future: GROW La Crosse’s Vision for Sustainable Education
As GROW La Crosse continues to evolve and expand its reach, what does the future hold for the organization? Executive Director Kari Bersagel-Braley and her team are constantly exploring new ways to enhance and expand their programs to meet the changing needs of the community. Some potential areas for growth include:
- Expanding programs to reach more schools and communities
- Developing new curriculum resources for teachers
- Increasing partnerships with local businesses and organizations
- Exploring innovative technologies to enhance garden-based learning
- Advocating for policy changes to support sustainable agriculture and nutrition education in schools
By staying adaptable and forward-thinking, GROW La Crosse aims to continue its mission of nurturing young minds and fostering a more sustainable, health-conscious community for generations to come.
The Ripple Effect: GROW La Crosse’s Influence Beyond La Crosse
While GROW La Crosse primarily serves the La Crosse community, its innovative approach to sustainable agriculture education has the potential to inspire similar initiatives in other regions. How can GROW La Crosse’s model be adapted for different communities? By sharing best practices, curriculum resources, and lessons learned, GROW La Crosse can help other organizations develop effective garden-based education programs tailored to their unique local contexts.
As awareness of the importance of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating continues to grow, GROW La Crosse’s pioneering work serves as a valuable blueprint for communities seeking to connect children with their food sources and promote environmentally responsible practices.
Staff | GrowLaCrosse
Kari Bersagel-Braley
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Kari Bersagel Braley is one of the co-founders of GROW. She has worked in education for 12 years as a special education teacher, elementary classroom teacher and a literacy teacher. She is a mother and wife who feels passionately about buying and eating locally grown food. She believes in the benefits of educating her own children and the children in the community about healthy living and working to ensure that all children have access to healthy food. In her free time Kari enjoys hiking in the bluffs with her family, practicing yoga, and eating delicious food around the table with good friends and family.
Bonnie Martin
Communication & Outreach Coordinator
Bonnie brings skills from past experiences such as: marketing, event planning, volunteer organizing, and graphic design. She is passionate about enriching the lives of children through providing hands-on educational activities. As a leader and volunteer in her children’s school PTO and 4-H club Bonnie has been able to help provide enrichment events and travel experiences for children. It was through these roles that Bonnie became familiar with GROW. She is excited to be a part of an organization that is making a positive impact on the lives of children.
Ana Skemp
Garden Educator & Farm Experiences Director
Ana Skemp’s background in biology/ecology allows the farm program participants to experience learning about their food and where it comes from an in depth level. For example children will learn how plants turn sun into energy during photosynthesis. Ana has experience teaching in a school setting and has led cooking classes for youth. She is a farmer and the owner of Deep Roots Community Farm.
Sam Petersen
Operations Manager
Sam is a nature lover who came to gardening through time working on an organic farm and a market garden. He has also worked at an organic orchard in his hometown. He lives in La Crescent with his wife Hanna and their dog Cheech. Sam loves to run, bicycle, listen to music, and learn about the natural world. He is super excited to be part of the GROW team and to help make the gardens and greenhouse awesome places to learn and be!
Amy Sherrill
Garden Educator
Amy grew up on a family farm where gardening and a love of the outdoors were a part of life from her earliest years. She went on to earn a Bachelors in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Over the past five years she has gained experience as a substitute teacher. She loves helping children grow through experiential learning and watching their eyes light up with new information. As a mother she will often be found in the family garden with her boys. Providing fresh veggies for the family and neighbors and helping others grow is a favorite family pastime.
Shelly Staehly
Garden Educator
Shelly has always loved gardening and getting her hands dirty. Gardening has been a learning experience for her as she continues to learn and grow along the way. She graduated with an education degree from UW-LaCrosse and from there, headed out west to Colorado where she taught second grade. She loved watching her students explore and always made it her goal to instill a love of learning in whatever comes their way. Moving back to the midwest with her husband, Chad and her two boys, Booker and Ethan, Shelly is excited to get back into teaching and Grow is a perfect fit for her. She believes that getting students excited about eating healthy while growing their own food is most important and so valuable for all children.
LaKiah McCallson
Garden Educator
LaKiah has a curiosity for the natural world and loves guiding youth in developing their own curiosity. She has over eight years of experience teaching with community groups, summer camps, and currently as a substitute teacher. LaKiah is a La Crosse native who graduated from UWL with a degree in Interpersonal Communication and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She loves spending time in her own garden, backpacking, and continuously learning. She is excited to be a part of the GROW team!
Cameryn Koch
Garden Educator
Cameryn joined the GROW team as a Public and Community Health Education precptee in the summer of 2022. She found the work so fulfilling when the opportunity arose to join the team as a Garden Educator on staff it was an easy decision. During her internship Cameryn found a love for gardening! Especially, educating youth and seeing their excitement when the garden grows and blooms. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Community Health Education from UW – La Crosse. She tries to make each time in the garden a fun and educational experience. She loves to paint, hike, and generally spend time outdoors. Cameryn also loves to read, with her cat, Garbanzo, snuggled up on her lap!
Grow La Crosse | La Crosse, WI
Who funds Grow La Crosse
Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
Grantmaker | Grantmaker tax period | Description | Amount |
---|---|---|---|
La Crosse Community Foundation | 2021-12 | Environment | $20,000 |
Network for Good | 2021-12 | Unrestricted | $7,803 |
June Onefive Foundation | 2018-12 | General | $1,700 |
. ..and 1 more grant received |
Personnel at Grow La Crosse
Name | Title | Compensation | Date of data |
---|---|---|---|
Annie Berendes | Treasurer | $0 | 2021-06-02 |
Jamie O’Neill | Executive Director | $29,700 | 2019-12-31 |
Anne Seehafer | Past Executive Director | $0 | 2017-02-02 |
Financials for Grow La Crosse
- Revenues
- Expenses
- Assets
- Liabilities
Revenues | FYE 12/2021 | FYE 12/2020 | % Change |
---|---|---|---|
Total grants, contributions, etc. | $82,326 | $57,369 | 43.5% |
Program services | $0 | $0 | – |
Membership dues | $0 | $0 | – |
Investment income and dividends | $9 | $25 | -64% |
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets | $0 | $0 | – |
Net income from gaming activities and fundraising events, combined | $15,847 | $3,048 | 419.9% |
Net income from sales of inventory | $0 | $0 | – |
Miscellaneous revenues | $0 | $0 | – |
Total revenues | $98,182 | $60,442 | 62. 4% |
Form 990s for Grow La Crosse
Fiscal year ending | Date received by IRS | Form | PDF link |
---|---|---|---|
2019-12 | 2021-06-02 | 990EZ | View PDF |
2018-12 | 2019-12-03 | 990EZ | View PDF |
2017-12 | 2018-10-16 | 990EZ | View PDF |
2016-12 | 2017-10-17 | 990EZ | View PDF |
2015-12 | 2017-02-02 | 990EZ | View PDF |
Organizations like Grow La Crosse
Organization | Type | Location | Revenue |
---|---|---|---|
Pelham Together | 501(c)(3) | Pelham, NY | $247,463 |
Elevate Nextgen Gen | 501(c)(3) | Thief River Falls, MN | $65,728 |
The Evoluer House | 501(c)(3) | Philadelphia, PA | $191,193 |
Elevate Youth | 501(c)(3) | Boston, MA | $285,063 |
Faithful Friends | 501(c)(3) | Portland, OR | $298,073 |
Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia | 501(c)(3) | Roanoke, VA | $222,138 |
Annandale Youth First | 501(c)(3) | Annandale, MN | $84,450 |
Youthbase | 501(c)(3) | Greenville, SC | $233,920 |
Sowing Seeds Into the Midlands | 501(c)(3) | Columbia, SC | $57,703 |
Know2 | 501(c)(3) | Gaffney, SC | $192,935 |
Data update history
May 13, 2023
Received grants
Identified 1 new grant, including a grant for $20,000 from La Crosse Community Foundation
September 21, 2021
Posted financials
Added Form 990EZ for fiscal year 2019
September 13, 2021
Updated personnel
Identified 3 new personnel
March 30, 2021
Received grants
Identified 1 new grant, including a grant for $10,000 from Mayo Clinic Group Return
September 30, 2020
Posted financials
Added Form 990EZ for fiscal year 2018
Nonprofit Types
Youth development programsYouth service charitiesCharities
Issues
Human servicesChildren
Characteristics
Partially liquidatedFundraising eventsState / local levelTax deductible donations
General information
- Address
- PO Box 1241
- La Crosse, WI 54602
- Metro area
- La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
- County
- La Crosse County, WI
- Website URL
- growlacrosse. org/
IRS details
- EIN
- 47-0992006
- Fiscal year end
- December
- Taxreturn type
- Form 990-EZ
- Year formed
- 2014
- Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
- Yes
Categorization
- NTEE code, primary
- O50: Youth Development Programs, Other
- NAICS code, primary
- 624110: Child and Youth Services
- Parent/child status
- Independent
Blog articles
- How to find nonprofit grants using the Form 990
- What is a private foundation?
- Chief Operating Officer salaries at nonprofits
- What kinds of nonprofits do foundations support?
- Compensation of CEOs at nonprofit hospitals
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La Crosse Home Weather Stations
| I recently purchased a La Crosse WC9257 home weather station in your online store. I have a question for you: why does the reference point of relative atmospheric pressure set by me spontaneously change. And another question: which is better to set the city code in the settings if I live in Novosibirsk. I understand that these weather stations were produced for the European market, but still? |
Reply Quote |
| How do you determine that a point is changing? Unfortunately, I can’t tell you about the city. |
Reply Quote |
| As I understand it, relative and absolute pressure should change depending on the weather. It’s just that the relative pressure changes from the parameter you set (relative to the height), and the absolute pressure is calculated at sea level. For Moscow, the selection method determined that the most suitable city was Shwerin. For Novosibirsk, it is necessary to select the method of scientific poke)) |
Reply Quote |
| Here is a specific example: normal air pressure at sea level=1013 hPa. Calculated normal air pressure at 138 meters altitude=997.2 hPa.99.6 hPA. Although, judging by the graph (history) of atmospheric pressure changes on the display of the weather station, the pressure is growing. Is it supposed to be? So they should change “in pairs” – the relative pressure set by me, and the absolute atm. pressure measured by the La Crosse WS9257 weather station? |
Reply Quote |
| Have you entered a relative pressure value of 997. 2? The chart shows that the pressure rose and grew to 999.6? |
Reply Quote |
| Dima, absolutely right, the set relative pressure from 997.2 has risen to 999.6. So it should be, as I now understood, the set relative pressure should change in tandem with the absolute pressure, and what is not unimportant, this difference is constant. For me it is exactly 14.3 hPa. |
Reply Quote |
Quick transitionLa-Crosse.ru online store forum… Questions to La-Crosse.ru store… Chargers…… Charger BC700… Batteries… Discussion of articles
La Crosse weather station MA10006-BLA (+ mobile gateway)
In addition to the standard functions for most weather stations (weather forecast for the next 12 hours, measurement of indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity), the La Crosse weather station MA10006-BLA has a feature inherent in professional weather stations. Thanks to the built-in Mobile-Alerts technology, the La Crosse MA10006-BLA weather station is able to transmit data on the temperature and relative humidity of the air inside and outside the premises to the Internet. You can quickly view the information transmitted by the station on the screen of your smartphone using pre-installed software.
With the MA10000 Mobile Gateway (included), the user can connect up to 50 different Mobile-Alerts sensors.
Features La Crosse MA10006-BLA
- Internet transmission of indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity data to your smartphone using Mobile-Alerts technology
- Weather forecast for the next 12 hours
- Graphic display of changes in atmospheric pressure
- Measurement of internal and external temperature and relative humidity
- Temperature display in °C
- Automatic recording of minimum and maximum temperatures
- Clock with radio time control
- 12 or 24 hour time format
- Alarm clock
- Calendar: month / day / date
- Low battery indicator
Specifications La Crosse MA10006-BLA
Weather forecast:
- Weather forecast for 12-24 hours
- The weather station is able to detect changes in barometric pressure and, based on these changes, display a short-term forecast for the near future in the form of barometric weather forecast symbols. The display shows symbols (clear, cloudy, raining)
- Atmospheric pressure trend display (stable, rising, falling)
Atmospheric pressure:
- Graphic display of atmospheric pressure changes in the form of a bar graph over the past 12 hours
Room temperature:
- Measuring range: -9.9 C to + 59.9 C.
- Measurement resolution: 0.1C
- Automatic registration of minimum and maximum temperature values during the day.
- Update every 2 minutes
Ambient temperature:
- Measuring range: -39.9C to +59.9C
- Measurement resolution: 0.1C
- Automatic recording of minimum and maximum temperatures during the day
- Update every 2 minutes
Room humidity:
- Measuring range: 20% to 95%
- Measurement resolution: 1%
- Update every 2 minutes
External humidity:
- Measuring range: 1% to 99%
- Measurement resolution: 1%
- Update every 2 minutes
Data transmission to the mobile gateway:
- Indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity data are transmitted to the mobile gateway every 7 minutes
Signals:
- Alarm. Sound signal duration – 2 min
Low battery indicator
- When the batteries are low, an icon appears on the main unit display to indicate that the battery needs to be replaced.
LCD Contrast:
- LCD contrast adjustment.
Data transmission from an external sensor:
- An external sensor transmits information to the weather station using “IT+” technology (Instant Transmission technology). Advantages of IT+ technology:
- Prevents any interference between similar products located in close proximity
- Transmission distance increased to 100 meters (in open area).
- More economical external sensor battery consumption
- A high precision swiss sensor (for temperature, humidity and pressure) is used, which provides 1% resolution and +/-3% accuracy.
Mounting:
- Table or wall mounting available.
Mobile Gateway MA10000:
- Connection to a router (router): using the Ethernet cable supplied with
- Automatic acquisition of an IP address (DHCP)
- Ability to work in networks without DHCP (preliminary configuration of parameters is required in the Mobile-Alerts application)
- LED indicators for operating modes
- Connect up to 50 Mobile-Alerts sensors
Mobile-Alerts Software
- Available for Android smartphones (with Android version 3. 2 and above), and for iOS smartphones (with iOS version 7.0 or above)
- View and edit mobile gateway network settings
- Quick device registration using QR code
- Ability to register devices using the keyboard by entering the personal digital code of the device into the program
- Selection of data units
- Display the history of the weather station for the last 90 days with the option to select a date.
- Setting the parameters for triggering alerts when sensor readings go beyond the set values
- Push notifications when sensor readings go beyond the set values
- Mobile-Alerts Low Battery Indication
Dimensions:
- Weather station: 171 x 28 x 127 mm.
- Thermo-hygro sensor: 38 x 21 x 128 mm.
- Mobile gateway: 40 x 103 x 26 mm.
Power supply:
- Weather station: 3 AAA LR3 1.5 V batteries (sold separately)
- Thermo-hygro sensor: 2 x AA LR6 1.