Stephen Ritz is NOT a farmer.

But you wouldn't know it by the incredible work he is doing to bring urban farming into America's Schools.

Stephen is an internationally recognized teacher and administrator in the South Bronx; he's also the Founder of the Green Bronx Machine . The Green Bronx Machine has done some pretty incredible things in their community. Thanks to the help of an extended family of students and volunteers, the Green Bronx Machine has now grown over 35,000 pounds of vegetables, while generating extraordinary academic performance and the youngest nationally certified workforce in America.

If we can learn anything from Stephen and the Green Bronx Machine, it's that gardening can be an amazing outlet for young people to connect with the environment that surrounds them, and blossom into active participants in their communities. Everything that Stephen does in his classrooms can be applied in the home, and we hope that this Guide will show you how.