Project HOPE is a youth- and science-based program to teach middle school students STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through gardening. The goals are to help students understand STEM concepts and begin to apply these concepts in growing fruit, vegetables and herbs. The HOPE is that by learning about and applying STEM concepts, the students will develop a love of science and math that will carry them throughout their educational careers.  In addition to STEM concepts, there is a financial aspect  to the program where students learn to manage money, and an intergenerational aspect when students distribute their garden products and interact with area senior citizens. 

Project HOPE is a joint venture between the Blount County Master Gardeners and Alcoa Middle School and supported by civic organizations such as City of Alcoa.   

Learn more about this great program on the Project HOPE website: projecthopealcoa.org

For additional information, please contact Logan Hill via email at:  projecthopeinfo@mgbctn.org

In 2024, Project Hope visited Elvie’s Garden. Elvie  is from the Philippines and started her garden as there  were not any vegetables from her country here. If they were at the market stores they were expensive. The students as well as the adults learned a lot. To see a video of the visit, CLICK HERE. Some of the vegetables she planted were:

miracle tree 
fruit leaves tree branch equivalent of kale 
allot of minerals 
morning tree
ube like sweet potato 
kalabasa squash 
tapioca 
sweet potato leaves elephant ears 
okra
wing beans 
chiodigourd 
bottle gourd 
luffa gourd
yard long gourd