Roots Reach

Mission Statement Roots that Binds Us is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting progressive, sustainable, and accessible growing practices. Our goal is to empower and connect individuals and communities by bringing these practices to the world.

Vision Our vision is to reconnect people to the earth and strengthen community connections by localizing subsistence systems and providing education on sustainable, decentralized food production and healthy ecosystems.

Our Approach We are dedicated to converting community-centered properties into flourishing food forests. These dynamic spaces serve a variety of roles: they offer nourishment, enhance social connections, provide platforms for demonstrations, and act as centers for education. Our ongoing project in Georgetown, Texas, is emerging as a premier example of how grassroots efforts can foster human flourishing and community well-being.

The Benefits of Nature Research underscores the significant health benefits of interacting with natural environments. These benefits include:

• Reductions in depression, anxiety, obesity, heart disease, and even dementia.

• Improvements in life satisfaction, quality of life, and community connection.

Nature as Preventive Medicine Regular contact with nature is increasingly recognized as a form of preventive medicine. It addresses a variety of societal challenges, including:

• Mental health

• Nutrition

• Sustainability

• Food accessibility

• Disease prevention

Our Why We believe that by addressing access to healthy food, we can overcome challenges we face from a community level. Our work aims to be a beacon of hope for the world, demonstrating the power of regenerative practices to create thriving communities. By focusing on these core areas, Roots that Binds Us seeks to inspire and lead a movement towards a healthier, more connected world.

A Journey in Environmental Education and Community Engagement

In 2006, the seeds for an innovative educational environment were planted when our founder developed her first outdoor classroom at Lake Pointe Elementary in Lake Travis ISD. The vision was to develop an outdoor learning space that would transform traditional classroom experiences into dynamic, nature-based learning opportunities.

By 2010, her passion for outdoor education led her to Grandview Elementary in Windsor, Colorado. Here, Katy's dedication to immersing children in nature flourished, as she witnessed the profound educational impact of gardening. Gardens became invaluable educational spaces, equipping students with essential skills and values such as tolerance, agricultural knowledge, self-nourishment, stewardship, appreciation for natural systems, critical thinking, life skills, and community engagement.

In 2018, while serving as a bilingual educator at Annie Purl Elementary in Georgetown, Texas, Katy became deeply involved in tackling food accessibility challenges. Collaborating with the HEB Sprouts Foundation, she gained a deeper understanding of the socioeconomic barriers to accessing healthy food. This experience underscored the urgent need to address nutritional disparities to improve educational outcomes and student well-being. Katy observed how poor nutrition contributed to fatigue and behavioral issues in the classroom, leading her to advocate for equitable access to nutritious food in schools.

Katy's journey continued in 2020 when she was entrusted with managing an orchard at a local charter Montessori school in Georgetown, where she was given a significant degree of autonomy. This opportunity allowed her to witness firsthand the transformative power that working the land had on students' dietary habits and attitudes. Research, such as a Texas A&M study from 2007, demonstrated that gardening increased students' daily fruit and vegetable intake (increasing their servings of fruit and vegetables by 2 1/2 servings per day) and promoted physical wellness.

The 2021 winter storm in Georgetown further highlighted the challenges of food distribution and sustainability, intensifying Katy's resolve to address these complex societal issues. By the summer of 2024, despite facing administrative hurdles, Katy found substantial support from the USDA, which recognized her innovative work in urban food production. This partnership led to her nomination as Conservation Teacher of the Year and the development of her own educational food forest. This initiative serves as a hub for learning, demonstration, sustenance, and community building.

Through her unwavering commitment to environmental education and community engagement, Katy Ford continues to guide her community in acquiring real-world skills and fostering a deep respect for the environment. Her journey exemplifies a steadfast dedication to enriching education and strengthening community ties through the integration of natural experiences and environmental stewardship. Her current project is developing a flagship food forest for education, demonstration, and connection in the heart of Georgetown, Texas, located at 75 CR 152, also home of Cosmic Roots Nature School.