Programs
City Sprouts offers workshops and classes, online learning tools for educators, educational programming, and more to educate the community about gardening and healthy lifestyle choices. Click on our programs below for more details!
Programs
City Sprouts offers workshops and classes, online learning tools for educators, educational programming, and more to educate the community about gardening and healthy lifestyle choices. Click on our programs below for more details!
growing gardeners workshops
The Growing Gardeners Workshop Series is a collaboration between City Sprouts and The Big Garden. We work together to offer four seasons of hands-on workshops that feature skills and techniques for every gardener and urban farmer: growing, cooking, preserving and eating healthy local food. All workshops are free and open to all ages.
Our workshops are broken up into three main tracks: Urban Ag School, Herbal Medicine Cabinet, and Culinary Workshops. We also have smaller workshops attached to various community events that we have throughout the year. Check out all of our workshop offerings on our Growing Gardeners website.
We love having guest teachers from our community lead workshops! Are you knowledgable about a subject that you'd like to share in a workshop? Reach out to our Education Manager and explain what skills you'd like to share.
growing gardeners workshops
The Growing Gardeners Workshop Series is a collaboration between City Sprouts and The Big Garden. We work together to offer four seasons of hands-on workshops that feature skills and techniques for every gardener and urban farmer: growing, cooking, preserving and eating healthy local food. All workshops are free and open to all ages.
Our workshops are broken up into three main tracks: Urban Ag School, Herbal Medicine Cabinet, and Culinary Workshops. We also have smaller workshops attached to various community events that we have throughout the year. Check out all of our workshop offerings on our Growing Gardeners website.
We love having guest teachers from our community lead workshops! Are you knowledgable about a subject that you'd like to share in a workshop? Reach out to our Education Manager and explain what skills you'd like to share.
meet the green team
City Sprouts continues to grow due to the commitment of our dedicated staff and Board of Directors, community partners, and volunteers.
City Sprouts Staff (left to right): Emily Ramelb, Rocky Huibregtse, Laura Simpson, Aaron French, Edgar Romero, Shannon Kyler
our staff
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Carol Blood
Executive Director
Carol Blood has dedicated her career to serving the community with passion and commitment. Born in McCook, Nebraska, and raised in rural Adams County, she has deep roots in the state.
As a Nebraska legislator from 2016 to 2024 and a Bellevue City Council member from 2008 to 2016, she has been a strong advocate for positive change. She also made a significant impact as the Executive Director of the La Vista Chamber of Commerce prior to serving in public office.
In 2005, Carol founded Blood Communications, where she helped businesses thrive by providing business plans, feasibility assessments, and corporate training. Carol's decades of experience in non-profit work and community volunteerism highlight her dedication to making a difference.
Beyond her professional life, Carol has a deep love for learning about and growing native plants and enjoys growing and sharing her own vegetables in her spare time.
Aaron French
Manager of Urban Farm Initiatives
As the Manager of Urban Farm Initiatives, Aaron oversees City Sprouts' urban farm production, operations and programming. With help from the farm team, he runs the Urban Farming Internship — City Sprouts' three-season urban agriculture experience for young people. Aaron also manages farm and food distribution partnerships and is excited about helping City Sprouts build out its urban farm to be a true model of sustainable, efficient urban agriculture in Omaha.
April LeBaron
Conservation & Soil Health Program Coordinator
As an advocate for regenerative agriculture, April develops resources and coordinates educational workshops and events on soil health for urban and small-scale growers in Nebraska. By partnering with local organizations and NRCS staff, she helps farmers and gardeners access resources, improve conservation and soil health practices, and develop skills to strengthen their operations.
Edgar Romero Gonzalez
Urban Agriculture Outreach Manager
Edgar is experienced in greenhouse production, organic cultivation, cultivation consulting, and large scale farm production. He oversees our community outreach — supporting urban producers and growers access to resources, skills training, technical assistance, and marketing support. Edgar also helps run the urban farm and Urban Farming Internship.
Emily Ramelb
Communications & Development Manager
As the Communications & Development Manager, Emily leads the organization’s storytelling and fundraising efforts. She oversees strategic communications, manages donor engagement, and helps cultivate partnerships that support City Sprouts’ mission. With a passion for community-building and sustainable food systems, Emily ensures that the impact of City Sprouts’ programs is shared widely and meaningfully.
Shannon Kyler
Manager of Community Programs
Shannon manages the City Sprouts community garden and programs, and coordinates all volunteer projects and events. If you are looking to volunteer, teach a community workshop, tour the garden, or partner on community programs, please reach out!
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City Sprouts Interns
2024 Summer Urban Farming Interns mentored by City Sprouts staff members Aaron French, Edgar Romero Gonzalez, Laura Simpson and Rocky Huibregtse. Learn more about the PAID Urban Farming Internship here!
our board of directors
Our Board of Directors consists of community volunteers, who help provide oversight and direction for City Sprouts.
Executive Board
LaLeesha Haynes, President
Nebraska Medicine | Manager, Employee Growth and Experience
Randy Vyhnalek, Vice President
Conagra Brands | Scrum Master
Ian Simpkins, Treasurer
FNBO | Director of Finance
Angela Lindstrom, Secretary
Health Center Association of Nebraska | Director of Communications
Board Members
Bob Wolfson
BWC Consultancy | Freelance
Brian Smith
Nebraska Methodist Health System | Emergency Management Director
Liz Tipton
Union Pacific Railroad | Director Risk & Compliance
Meghan Kallhoff
Jackson Lewis | Attorney
Shanda Ross
Nebraska Medicine | Director of Engagement, Outreach, and Belonging
Taylor Daniels
Aradius Group | Director of Marketing
Anti-Discrimination Policy
City Sprouts is committed to providing an environment free from all forms of discrimination and conduct considered harassing, coercive or disruptive, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, pregnancy, leave status, [mental, emotional, or physical] ability/disability, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic or status, will not be tolerated.
Jared Haynes
Community Education Assistant
Jared supports community outreach and education efforts, helping to make the garden a vibrant, inclusive space for learning and connection. Jared also plays a key role in maintaining the garden campus, supporting volunteers, and helping organize seasonal events that bring the community together.
Laura Simpson
Community Distribution Manager
As the Community Distribution Manager, Laura oversees all community partnerships related to food distribution, including City Sprouts’ Free Fridge & Pantry. Laura also assists with the development and implementation of Urban Farm production and Urban Farming Internship Program.
Rocky Huibregtse
Urban Agriculture Outreach Specialist
Rocky first started on the team as an Urban Farming Intern. Now, as the Urban Agriculture Outreach Specialist, Rocky works with the farm team to help facilitate impactful agricultural and educational experiences.
Emily Ramelb
Communications + Development Manager, DEIA Practitioner
Emily joined the City Sprouts team in Spring 2021. She oversees City Sprouts branding, marketing strategy, fundraising and organizational development. Graduated from Rockhurst University, she has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in marketing and communication, and the Helzberg School of Management's Undergraduate Award for Distinguished Leadership. When Emily isn't working, she's in the kitchen whipping up something colorful and delicious, or kicking back with friends and family.