SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Fourth-grade students in Ms. Green’s and Mrs. Benavidez’s classes at Meyers Elementary wrapped up the school year with a blooming success story, literally and financially. As part of a hands-on, integrated learning project, students developed full-fledged business plans and sold their homegrown products at the Grow Your Own Festival at the Tallac Historic Site, earning an impressive $2,332 in profit.

The entrepreneurial project began in the classroom, where students created business plans that included naming their businesses, developing marketing strategies, pitching to investors, analyzing profit margins, and learning customer service and transaction-handling skills. What made the venture especially unique was that the students grew the very products they sold—hanging petunia baskets, herbs, and strawberries—all cultivated in the Meyers Elementary greenhouse.

The real-world experience culminated in a public plant sale at the local Grow Your Own Festival, where students sold out their entire inventory. All profits will support next year’s 5th-grade overnight field trip, giving students a tangible connection between their hard work and the reward.

This project was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Master Gardener parent volunteers Kristianne Hanneman and Brandi Caskey, who oversaw the program and donated countless hours to support student learning and success. A special thank you goes to the Meyers Elementary PTA, whose generous grant helped launch the student business and get the project growing.

Meyers Elementary also extends sincere appreciation to Dave Long from UC Master Gardeners, who played a huge role in the program’s success with his time, knowledge, and guidance. Additional thanks go to The Greenhouse Project in Carson City, Full Circle Compost for their soil donation, and Nourse Farms for providing strawberry roots.

“We are so proud of our students for taking ownership of this project from seed to sale,” said Principal Dameral. “This initiative not only taught them academic concepts in math, writing, and science, but also important life skills like teamwork, responsibility, and financial literacy.”

Meyers Elementary’s 4th-grade business project is a shining example of experiential education in action—growing minds, one plant at a time.