Rohith Ramesh (Audrey Kell HS)
Tahymi Mackie (West Charlotte HS)
Tyler Johnston (Independence HS)
At 100 Gardens, collaboration isn’t just about working together…it’s about impact.
When you’re trying to do great and important work, you have to understand that no single organization can do everything. That’s why collaboration is so essential. Different groups bring different strengths, and when each leans into what they do best, the results become greater than the sum of their parts.
Two collaborations that have truly shaped our mission are with The Campbells Foundation and The AvidXchange Foundation. Both organizations have aligned their philanthropic work with our mission, providing not only resources but also insight, innovation, and inspiration.
When we began working with The Campbells Foundation, I was struck by their depth of research on school nutrition. I remember pacing around in my office while looking at some printed infographics describing their pillars of Impact. (Full Futures Charlotte overview 2025). The more I paced, the more my mind opened up. Soon, I was having visions about how aquaponics could actually bring their vision to life, and how their pillars of change could enhance the 100 Gardens mission. Before this partnership, 100 Gardens focused on aquaponics primarily as a tool for hands-on education—a way to teach science, sustainability, and systems thinking. But through Campbells, we began to see how nutrition itself plays a vital role in helping kids become smarter, healthier, and more compassionate.
Campbell’s has not only provided this new way of thinking for our mission, but essential resources to support our aquaponics programs at Merry Oaks International Academy, Eastway Middle School, Garinger High school, JT Williams Montessori, Mint Hill Elementary, and Independence High School. In addition, they have supported curriculum development, student internships, and culinary experiences with Chef Nellie for several schools.
We also realized aquaponics could be a trojan horse—a way to get students genuinely excited about eating fresh, high-quality foods. It’s not just about growing vegetables…it’s about making food education come alive in a way that leads to lasting change in how kids eat and think about health.
Our partnership with AvidXchange has been equally transformative. Under the leadership of Rob Phocas from AvidxChange, along with our Education Director Kelli Howe and site-coordinator Andrew Brown, we partnered with Do Greater Charlotte to expand programming at Walter G. Byers School, a school where we’ve been active for more than seven years. Together, we developed an afterschool aquaponics program that teaches entrepreneurship,
aquaponics, and also grows food for the local shelter—where some of the students’ own classmates live. In addition, AvidxChange is providing support for the West Charlotte High School aquaponics program that provides hands-on learning for Occupational Course of Study students earning work hours toward their graduation.
These collaborations go far beyond funding. They challenge us to think differently, to innovate, and to expand what’s possible. They remind us that when we open our doors to new ideas and diverse partners, we don’t just grow more food—we grow more impact.
The beauty of collaboration as a 100 Gardens core commitment is that it reflects the power of people and organizations bringing diverse skills, ideas, and perspectives together to achieve a common goal. No one has all the answers, but together we can find them. As my own corny saying goes, “the answers will reveal themselves”.
This is the power of humanity: when we share our knowledge, creativity, and compassion, we can solve our most pressing problems—not alone, but through our collective consciousness. Collaboration is more than our secret ingredient. It’s the heart of how we grow.
– Sam Fleming – Executive Director, 100 Gardens
100 Gardens is committed to:
- Acting with integrity
- Making an impact
- Empowering others
- Hands-on education
- Building community
- Fostering collaboration
We’d love to hear about your experiences with collaboration in your field. Reach out to us at info@100gardens.org and visit our website www.100gardens.org. If you find value in our work, consider subscribing to this blog, donating on our website, or sharing our program with a local school.
