FARMER KIM - Founder/CEO

Kim Whalen is a former public-school teacher, and Founder/Director of Grow Garden Grow, where she holds the title of Farmer Kim, integrating curriculum in schoolyards across North Texas. Additionally, she works with Grow North Texas, NTx School Garden Network, supporting the local food system. Her farming roots run deep from her Grandfather who grew crops in the rich soil of central Ohio. He taught her about the earth, soil, plants, animals and the beauty of a bite from a vine ripe tomato. She knows that she is fortunate to be doing what she loves and looks forward to every day that she can spend digging in the soil.

Leigh Ann Mewhirter has always loved the great outdoors. She spent summers in Iowa learning to check the crops with her grandpa and pulling weeds in the garden with her grandma. Teaching is her passion and becoming a garden educator has brought the joy of working with kids to the outside classroom. She appreciates the smiles and excitement that show up when the kids walk into the garden, eager to learn and have fun.

Renee Porter is thrilled to be part of growing the school garden movement in

North Texas. With her background in teaching science and a strong passion

for outdoor learning, she looks forward to engaging with students and sharing

her knowledge about the garden. Her enthusiasm for education and her desire

to collaborate with young minds make her an excellent fit for guiding students

in both discovering and contributing to the garden's wonders.

Karen Hess grew up in Dallas gardening with her mom and visiting her grandparents’ farm in Kansas. She studied Environmental Science in college, worked with school gardens in Memphis, and studied agriculture in Germany prior to moving home to Dallas a few years ago. Now, Karen is thrilled to be back in school gardens to teach kids about where their food comes from and how to build a healthy body and mind. 

Becca is a passionate outdoor educator who finds joy in helping student explore, wonder, and grow through hands-on experiences. She brings a background in environmental education to her role at Grow Garden Grow, including teaching at the Dallas Arboretum and facilitating nature-baed mindfulness practices for all ages through the Mind Body Ecology Institute. Her teaching is rooted in curiosity, connection, and joy. By helping students experience the beauty of gardens, she hopes to nuture lifelong stewards who for their communities and the Earth,

A Dallas native and former elementary school teacher, Toni Leitgab is happiest outside with her hands in the dirt or exploring somewhere new. As a Dallas County Master Gardener and Master Naturalist, she loves learning about the plants, wildlife, and wild spaces that make North Texas so special. She is especially passionate about native plants, protecting wildlife, and finding simple ways to care for the world around us.

Toni is thrilled to combine two of her greatest loves: teaching kids and being in the garden! She hopes our kids will have fun getting their hands dirty while developing a deep love and appreciation for nature that stays with them as they grow.

Rachel was born and raised in Texas, where the wildflowers grow. She spent her childhood outdoors, hiking, camping, and running wild with her brothers and sister. A true lover of public education, she taught bilingual kindergarten (Spanish) in the Dallas area for seven years.

At home, Rachel has a loving, laughter-filled family with her husband of 15 years and their three delightful daughters. A few years ago, Mrs. Rachel started a garden at her daughters’ elementary school, and she fell in love with “old school” education: being outdoors, experimenting, and learning with all the senses.

She is so excited to join the GGG team. See you in the garden!

Farmer Ritchie grew up in Oklahoma farm country, where fresh veggies and homemade salsa from her dad’s garden were a regular part of life. Now she’s a preschool teacher and PTA mom who loves watching kids learn, explore, and get their hands dirty. She saw the power of Grow Garden Grow firsthand at her own kids’ school, and she’s thrilled to be part of the team. She can’t wait to bring lots of energy, fun, and joy to the kids in the garden! 

Farmer T (Emily) is a science educator with 10 years of experience teaching students from Pre-K through middle school. With a love for hands-on learning, she is excited to bring science outdoors and turn the garden into a living classroom. Emily loves encouraging students to dig, discover, ask questions, and experience the wonder of the natural world. She especially loves turning their curiosity into meaningful learning experiences.