Updates from the Gardens

Sage, our Garden Manager, and Alana, our Assistant Garden Manager, have been hard at work repairing garden beds, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and finalizing all planting plans for the 2026 season. 

Our Program Coordinator, Kimberly, is already scheduling group volunteer days, planning educational events in the garden, and organizing community program access with our community partners. 

Our Arborists are continuing their hands‑on training by working with Sage and the Arboretum’s Arborist to learn new skills, including how to turn felled trees into usable lumber.

We also welcomed new leadership to our Board of Directors for 2026. Dee Schaffer‑Whitten will serve as Board Chair, Cori Zancanella as Secretary, and Brittany Gamboa as Treasurer.

The board is already busy updating our operating procedures, service contracts, and output metrics to ensure we have the strong infrastructure needed for our most successful year yet.

Last year was a big one for Soulful Seeds, and we shared all of our 2025 outputs in the January newsletter. If you missed it, we encourage you to take a look HERE and see what your support made possible.

Welcome our new Arborist Apprentice: Zevis



As part of our Urban Orchard Project, funded by the USDA Division of Forestry, we’re excited to welcome our second Arborist Apprentice, Zevis. He brings a strong background in soil science and a real passion for understanding how healthy soil supports healthy trees and healthy communities. This year, he’ll be learning hands‑on skills in tree care, orchard management, and the day‑to‑day work that keeps our gardens thriving. If you see him in the orchard trimming branches or tending to the trees, be sure to give him a wave. We’re thrilled to have him on the team and look forward to all he will learn and contribute.

Philanthropy in Practice: Soulful Seeds Takes the Stage

Soulful Seeds is honored to participate in the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s Philanthropy in Practice Pitch Showcase. Our Executive Director, Cara, will be presenting information about Soulful Seeds alongside five other nonprofits doing important work in our community.

If you’d like to attend, please follow the registration link below. Tickets are $5 and directly support the nonprofit participants through a People’s Choice Award.

Thank you Spotlight:

The Great Basin Community Co Op

Soulful Seeds is honored to be the 2026 recipient of the Great Basin Community Food Co Op’s Round Up Fund Program.

The Great Basin Community Food Co Op is committed to providing access to wholesome, sustainable food within our local food shed. Guided by seven cooperative principles, the Co Op runs the Round Up for Food Justice program, which reflects their commitment to community and their mission to make healthy, nutritious food available to everyone.

Through this program, shoppers can choose to round their purchase total to the nearest dollar at checkout, with the extra change donated to the Round Up Fund. At the end of each month, Soulful Seeds receives a check for the total amount raised.

The Co Op has supported Soulful Seeds for several years through this program, and their partnership has helped us grow more than 15,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and serve over 5,000 families through our programs.

Thank you to the Co Op team and every shopper who rounds up. Your generosity directly supports our mission and strengthens our community.