At the end of September, the nonprofit Youth Garden Project welcomed Kaitlin Thomas as its new executive director.
Thomas worked at Youth Garden Project (YGP) for five years as the youth program director before spending the past three-and-a-half years working as the program manager for BEACON Afterschool Program through Grand County School District.
YGP is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to cultivate healthy children, families and community through educational programs and the profound act of connecting people with food from seed to table, it said in a press release on Oct. 2.
Thomas said she is excited to continue to support the ongoing and developing work of YGP that is currently serving Grand County youth, families and individuals.
“As a mom of two young kids, I see the value in outdoor experiential learning opportunities,” Thomas said. “As a gardener, I recognize the importance of knowing where your food comes from. I have always believed in the work that the Youth Garden Project does because it is a creative landscape for those two things to come together for everyone in the community.”
Thomas said she will work with the YGP’s assortment of volunteers, service groups, community supported agriculture members, parents of summer camp children, chaperones of garden classroom field trips, long-time residents, students, teachers and gardeners.
“I look forward to engaging with Moab grown families and individuals, as well as newcomers, of all ages and stages at the garden,” Thomas said.
Upcoming YGP events include the last Weed n’ Feed of the season on Oct. 17, and a benefit luncheon at Sorrel River Ranch on Oct. 20. All proceeds benefit YGP youth and community programs.
New director looks forward to engaging with Moab-grown families
