Rooted & Rising at MS KICK: Community Cultivators Launch with Earth Day Kickoff

On Earth Day 2026, the Southern University at Shreveport Louisiana community gathered with purpose, passion, and plenty of fresh soil to officially launch Rooted & Rising at MS KICK: Community Cultivators – KICK’N It in the Garden—a dynamic initiative designed to connect community, sustainability, and workforce development through hands-on garden stewardship.

Led by the Milam Street Kitchen Incubator & Community Kitchen (MS KICK), this collaborative effort brings together students, faculty, local organizations, and community members to cultivate not only fresh produce, but also shared responsibility, education, and opportunity.

A Powerful Day of Purpose and Participation

The Earth Day kickoff was more than a ceremonial start—it was a full-scale activation of community engagement. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work:

• Removing and redistributing mulch
• Clearing garden beds and preparing soil
• Planting seasonal crops
• Restoring mulch to protect new growth
• Assessing trees and garden health
• Identifying designated areas for debris removal
• Reviewing care and maintenance expectations for beds and trees
• Supporting general garden beautification, including litter pickup

Every participant played a role in transforming the space into a thriving garden ecosystem, setting the tone for a year-long journey of stewardship and growth.

Collaboration at the Core

Rooted & Rising is a testament to what can happen when community partners align around a shared vision. The kickoff was made possible through the collaboration and support of:

• Shreveport Green, led by Urban Farm & Community Markets Director Shanetta Brown, whose leadership and expertise helped bring the garden to life
• SUSLA Workforce Development, under the leadership of Dr. Kimberly Harvell, providing resources and support for program implementation
• SUSLA Faculty Senate, serving as first-quarter Community Cultivators
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Sigma Rho Omega Chapter – Enhance Our Environment Committee
• The Mar-Dai Foundation
• SUSLA MLT/Phlebotomy Program
• SUSLA HBCU C2 Regional Hub
• AmeriCorps volunteers and community participants

This diverse network of partners reflects the program’s mission: to cultivate both gardens and relationships that strengthen the community.

Cultivating More Than Crops

Rooted & Rising is structured as a year-long, quarterly stewardship program where participating organizations adopt and maintain garden beds. Each cycle culminates in a Harvest Celebration, where participants will bring their efforts full circle through “garden-to-kitchen” experiences—highlighting culinary creativity, nutrition, and the power of locally grown food.

Beyond gardening, the initiative supports:

• Workforce development through experiential learning
• Community engagement and volunteerism
• Sustainability education
• Access to fresh, locally grown produce

Growing Forward

As seeds take root in the MS KICK garden, so does a deeper commitment to community-driven impact. Rooted & Rising represents a living classroom, a collaborative space, and a symbol of what can be achieved when people come together with intention.

From soil to harvest, this initiative is planting the foundation for a stronger, healthier, and more connected community—one bed at a time.