Have an idea that uses food, gardens, or green spaces to help people live healthier lives? Climate Roots wants to fund it.
Today we are launching the Seeds of Health Idea Challenge, a community competition for ideas that connect growing food with human health. The winning idea receives $1,000 in seed funding plus mentorship from the Climate Roots team to turn it into a real project in our community.
You do not need to be a scientist, a gardener, or an entrepreneur. Some of the best ideas come from people who see a need up close: a student who volunteers at a senior center, a parent who notices kids don’t play outside, a neighbor with a fruit tree and nowhere to send the extra lemons.
Why we’re doing this
What we grow and how we live are deeply connected. Gardens get people moving, put fresh food on the table, bring neighbors together, and help communities adapt to a warming climate.
So far, Climate Roots has established 3 community gardens, taught hundreds of students, and donated thousands of pounds of produce. This challenge is how we find the next generation of projects, and the people who will lead them. Our mission has always been to support both human and planetary health. Now we want your ideas for doing that.
Competition categories
Every idea must connect food, gardens, or green space to human health. Choose the one category that fits your idea best.
- Healthy Aging and Intergenerational Connection. Ideas that help older adults stay active, connected, and well nourished. Example: a garden where teens and seniors grow food together.
- Food Access and Nutrition. Ideas that get fresh, healthy food to people who need it most. Example: routing gleaned fruit to families facing food insecurity, paired with simple recipes.
- Active Living and Wellbeing. Ideas that use gardening and outdoor spaces to support physical fitness, mental health, or recovery. Example: a garden fitness program or a quiet healing garden at a school.
- Climate and Health Resilience. Ideas that protect people from climate impacts like extreme heat, poor air quality, or drought. Example: shade and cooling plantings at a bus stop or playground.
- Garden Tech for Health. Ideas that use sensors, apps, automation, or data to make gardens more productive, accessible, or health-promoting. Example: a moisture sensor system that lets people with limited mobility maintain a garden.
Who can enter
The challenge is open to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in the San Francisco Bay Area, in two divisions:
- Youth Division: ages 13 to 18. Entrants under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the consent section of the entry form.
- Community Division: ages 18 and up, including college students, educators, health professionals, and community groups.
You can enter as an individual or as a team of up to 4 people. Teams may mix ages; a team enters the Community Division if any member is 18 or older.
Climate Roots volunteers and program participants are welcome and encouraged to enter.
Prizes and seed funding
| Award | Seed funding | Also includes |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize (1 winner, either division) | $1,000 | 6 months of mentorship, a garden plot or partner site introduction, feature on the Climate Roots blog |
| Youth Division Runner-Up | $250 | Mentorship check-ins and blog feature |
| Community Division Runner-Up | $250 | Mentorship check-ins and blog feature |
| Community Choice | Certificate and recognition | Chosen by public vote on Pitch Day |
Seed funding is for launching the project, not a cash prize. Funds are released in two installments: half at kickoff and half after a progress check-in at the midpoint. For youth winners, funds are managed with a parent, guardian, or Climate Roots mentor. Winners share a short progress update at 3 months and a final report at 6 months.
Key dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Submissions open | May 15, 2026 |
| Submission deadline | July 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT |
| Finalists notified | August 01, 2026 |
| Projects launch | August 2026 |
| Final project reports due | December 2026 |
How to submit
Submit your idea through this entry form link. Choose one format:
- Written proposal: up to 750 words, or
- Video pitch: up to 3 minutes, uploaded as an unlisted YouTube or Google Drive link, plus a one-paragraph written summary.
Either format must answer these seven questions:
- The problem: What health or community need are you addressing, and who experiences it?
- Your idea: What will you do, and how does it use food, gardens, or green space?
- Who benefits: Who will take part or be helped, and roughly how many people?
- Your plan: What are the main steps to launch within 6 months? Name any partner (school, senior center, clinic, faith group) you plan to work with.
- Budget: How would you spend the seed funding? A simple list of items and costs is enough.
- Measuring success: How will you know it worked? Name 1 to 3 things you will count or measure.
- Your team: Who is involved, and why are you the right people to do this?
You may submit one idea per person or team. Questions? Contact us via this form.
How ideas are judged
A panel of Climate Roots mentors, community health professionals, and youth leaders scores every entry. Youth entries are judged against other youth entries.
| Criterion | Weight | What judges look for |
|---|---|---|
| Community impact | 30% | Addresses a real, specific need and helps people in a meaningful way |
| Mission fit | 20% | Clearly connects food, gardens, or green space with human health |
| Feasibility | 20% | Realistic plan, budget, and partners to launch within 6 months |
| Measurable results | 15% | Clear, simple ways to show the project worked |
| Creativity | 15% | A fresh approach, or a proven idea applied in a new setting |
The top [6] entries become finalists and present a 5-minute pitch on Pitch Day. Judges select the winners; attendees vote for Community Choice.
Official rules
- Original work. Ideas must be your own or your team’s. You may build on existing programs, but say so and explain what is new.
- One entry per person or team. A person may appear on only one team.
- You keep your idea. You own your idea. By entering, you allow Climate Roots to share your project name, summary, and team names (with consent for minors) to promote the challenge.
- Launch in the community. Winning projects must launch in the Bay Area within 6 months of the award.
- Use funds for the project. Seed funding may be spent only on project costs described in your budget, such as supplies, plants, tools, printing, or partner fees. It may not be used for salaries or personal expenses. Keep receipts. Unused funds are returned to Climate Roots.
- Report progress. Winners submit a short update at 3 months and a final report at 6 months. The second installment of funding depends on the midpoint check-in.
- Safety and consent. Projects that work with minors, older adults, patients, or other vulnerable groups must have approval from the partner site and written consent from participants. Projects may not provide medical treatment or make health claims.
- Judges’ decisions are final. Climate Roots may decline to award a prize if no entry meets the criteria, and may adjust these rules if needed, with notice posted on this page.
- AI tools are allowed for research and editing, but the idea and plan must be yours.
Ready to plant your idea?
- Submit your idea by July 15, 2026 at entry form link.
- Spread the word. Share this post with a student, teacher, neighbor, or health worker who has an idea worth growing.
We can’t wait to see what you plant.
