The generous act of sponsoring seedlings delivers community-connected experiential learning, grows environmental stewardship and equips youth in our community with business basics. Greenhouse Academy provides hands-on learning programs in business and financial literacy, giving participants opportunities that reinforce positive, success-based lessons. Every tree is planned, grown and managed by youth in GHA programs…meaning every tree that is sponsored helps subsidize GHA programs and a wide range of educational and social training programs for thousands of students from our community.

When a tree sponsor joins the team, it activates an impressive production cycle beginning even with the selection of a seed zone for the trees. Encompassing the negotiation of the purchase of seed from a distributing source and every aspect of planning and production like seeding, irrigating, maintenance, facility service, transplanting, packaging, inventory management, students are engaged and managing the project. Even administrative and promotion tasks including community outreach, budgeting, marketing, donation inventory management, delivery, cooperation with conservation authorities for planting, community partnership and team member liaison is part of their experience and skills development.

With a growing cycle that lasts up to two years from seed, the multitude of interactions, transactions, and collaborations that our students experience exposes them to a significant range of business skills. Leadership, communication, critical thinking, and accountability are key student metrics while sponsors get the satisfaction of doing great things for our community and environment. Ultimately, the best payoff is inspiring and enabling a young person that could be another one of Ontario’s next business leaders.

Additionally, every tree sponsor of 5,000 trees or more is permanently displayed on our “future builder” recognition wall in the GHA facility. This helps students to know what kinds of companies align with their values, and who they might consider for future opportunities.