The BEETs (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) program at CommunityGrows is led by Kunal Palawat, who describes themselves as a Desi gardener, critical environmental justice researcher, and cook. They bring multiple years of experiential education, community organizing, and scientific research experience to CommunityGrows. More than that though, they bring and share their passion for the land that is contagious and inspiring. And it all started with a love for food and soil.
Category: BEETS
From a Seed to a Community
I joined BEETs on a reference by my teacher. I joined for the sole reason on how they interacted with nature. It was something I had grown interested in, something I wanted to explore. Nature was depleting every single day, and my anxiety over climate change had really pushed me to the job.
A Conversation with our BEETs Leadership Crew
On a sunny December afternoon, I sat down at my computer to have a discussion via Zoom with the spirited Band of...
Treasure Island Job Corp Garden
On Monday, October 13, 2014 the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) when across the Bay to visit the Treasure Island Job Corp Farm.
This urban farm...
BEETS Run the Carnival at Rosa Parks BBQ
Our BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) helped out on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the Rosa Parks Elementary School's Annual BBQ. CommunityGrows staff Serena Padilla,...
Welcome New CommunityGrows Staff!
We would like to welcome two great staff members to CommunityGrows. Serena Padilla, our new Garden Educator, works primarily at Rosa Parks Elementary School. She graduated in 2011 from the...
BEETS Workday at the AAACC
On Saturday, September 27, 2014 the Fall cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) spent a few hour renovating and revitalizing the African American Arts and...
Great Workday in Koshland Garden
On Saturday, September 20, 2014 CommunityGrows staff Adrian Almquist, Serena Padilla, Miya Yung, Kelly ErnstFriedman and Barbara Wenger, were joined by our BEETS (Band of Environmentally...
Fall BEETS Cohort Begins
On Thursday, September 18, 2014 the fall cohort of BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) began. The new group consists of six returning BEETS: Angie Lemus, Claudia...
National Night Out with CommunityGrows
On Tuesday August 5, 2015 CommunityGrows and the BEETS (Band of Environmentally Educated and Employable Teens) participated in the Western Addition National Night Out at Ella Hill Hutch...