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 team
City Sprouts continues to grow due to the commitment of our dedicated staff and Board of Directors, community partners, and volunteers.
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 and decades of volunteerism.
In 2005, Carol founded Blood Communications, where she helped businesses thrive by providing business plans, feasibility assessments, provided corporate training and strategic planning. 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.
Jaden Perkins
Community Development Manager
Jaden Perkins brings over a decade of experience in grassroots organizing, operations, fundraising, and legislative advocacy. At City Sprouts, Jaden focuses on building sustainable partnerships, expanding resources, and supporting programs that uplift poor and working families while strengthening neighborhoods across Omaha.
From raising over $10,000 for mutual aid and distributing thousands of pounds of food and clothing, to mentoring emerging leaders and advancing equity-focused policy initiatives, Jaden’s work blends strategic operations, resource development, and community empowerment. Their commitment is to create inclusive spaces where equity, collaboration, and resilience thrive.
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.
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!
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.
Ingrids Mata
Conservation and Soil Health Program Manager
Ingrids supports education and outreach around soil health, conservation, and sustainable growing practices. With a background in agronomy and agroecology, she helps gardeners and growers understand how caring for the soil strengthens our food systems and communities. Originally from Honduras, she’s passionate about connecting people and the land through learning and collaboration.
Habib Nikzad
Urban Agriculture Outreach Manager
Originally from Herat, Afghanistan and moved to the United States in 2023. He holds a Master’s degree in Agriculture and brings more than 20 years of experience in community development, agricultural research, business development, and economic recovery. Now based in Omaha, he brings his expertise and commitment to supporting sustainable, thriving communities.
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.
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.
our board of directors
Our Board of Directors consists of community volunteers, who help provide strategic oversight and direction for City Sprouts.
Executive Board
Angela Lindstrom, President
Health Center Association of Nebraska | Director of Communications
Randy Vyhnalek, Vice President
Conagra Brands | Scrum Master
Maria Pauley, Treasurer
Self-employed | CEO
Liz Tipton, Secretary
Union Pacific Railroad | Director Finance, Budget and Administration
Board Members
Sonita Buddi
Brighten Our Future Learning Center | CEO
Kelly Favara
ConAgra | Human Resources Director
Meghan Kallhoff
Union Pacific | Attorney
Shanda Ross
Nebraska Medicine | Director of Engagement, Outreach, and Belonging
Taylor Daniels
Aradius Group | Director of Marketing
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.