Big Green (non-profit company)
| Established | 22 February 2011 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Types | nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Headquarters | Broomfield |
| Country | United States |
| Revenue | 6,047,457 United States dollar (2020) |
| Total Assets | 4,759,958 United States dollar (2020) |
| Website | biggreen |
Big Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Kimbal Musk and Hugo Matheson.[1][2]
History
Big Green was established in 2011 by Kimbal Musk and Hugo Matheson, with the goal of enhancing mindfulness about health and improving communities through the creation of practical, garden-based education opportunities.[3][4][5][6]
The first learning garden was constructed in Denver, Colorado at Schmitt Elementary. Originally named, 'The Kitchen Community', the organization's name changed to Big Green in 2018.[7]
In 2021, the organization changed its business model from maintaining community gardens and teaching students to dispersing grants.[8]
In 2023, the organization launched a cross-country "Grow Together" bus tour.[9]
Learning gardens
A “learning garden” is an outdoor classroom that also serves as a productive garden of edible plants. It is composed of modular, raised beds with seating and shade, providing space for teaching and learning. The gardens are designed to become vehicles for comprehensive mindset change regarding child nourishment, socialization and student achievement.[10][11] They are also designed to go well with any type of school structure, whether urban or rural.[12]
The food harvested from the learning gardens are sold to restaurants. The activity aims to teach students to become young entrepreneurs and acquire business abilities.
In 2018, Big Green build learning gardens in 100 schools in the metro Detroit area.[13][14]
Controversy
Big Green has been accused of illegally discriminating against and firing employees who were unionizing.[15]Ten workers who lost their jobs in 2021 settled with Big Green for $449,999 in back pay, benefits and wages, in September 2024. [8]According to the case, the organization "threatened employees with discipline and termination for engaging in union activities" in July 2021.[8]All 10 employees were offered reinstation by the company; two accepted, according to a court motion.[8]
References
- ^ Chandler, Jennifer. "Plant A Seed Day: Celebrate spring and take a step toward a healthier future". Commercialappeal.com. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ "About Us". Big Green. Retrieved 2025-10-22.
- ^ Severson, Kim (16 October 2017). "Kimbal Musk Wants to Feed America, Silicon Valley-Style". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ Tom Oder, "Kimbal Musk's garden dream is growing," 24 January 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018 from https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/big-green-kimball-musk-kitchen-community-national
- ^ Leanna Garfield, “Kimbal Musk — Elon’s brother — is leading a $25 million mission to fix food in schools across the US,” 17 January 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018 from https://www.businessinsider.com/kimbal-musks-food-nonprofit-goes-national-learning-gardens-schools-2018-1
- ^ Roth, Anna (2016-03-14). "Kimbal Musk is Changing the Food System One School Garden at a Time". Civil Eats. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ^ Biggs, Jennifer. "Big Green hits 100th learning garden milestone". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ^ a b c d Chuang, Tamara (2024-09-25). "Broomfield nonprofit agrees to pay $449,999 to 10 workers who were fired after forming a union". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ^ "The Big Green Bus "Grow Together" Tour". REVEL GEAR®. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-10-22.
- ^ "About Learning Gardens – Big Green". biggreen.org. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
- ^ America Succeeds. Retrieved 8 October 2018 from http://www.americasucceeds.org/downloads/edventure/kimbal.pdf
- ^ Jane Black, “This is how Learning Gardens grow,” 18 September 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2018 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/this-is-how-learning-gardens-grow/2012/09/18/94322aca-fcff-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html
- ^ "Big Green Plan to Build Learning Gardens and Food Literacy Programs in 100 Schools | AgriTechTomorrow". www.agritechtomorrow.com. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ^ Welch, Sherri (17 January 2018). "National nonprofit aims to put gardens in 100 Detroit schools". Crain's Detroit Business.
- ^ Brown, H. Claire (30 September 2021). "Kimbal Musk's school gardening nonprofit lays off entire unionizing workforce". The Counter. Retrieved 1 December 2021.