Insensitive remarks rarely lead to a project of noble accomplishment, but for Nick Yeh, a senior at St. Francis High School, a bounty of goodness has grown, literally, out of what he admits was “a foolish moment.”
“A homeless woman named Louisa approached me in Old Town Pasadena this past February,” Yeh explained. “I gave her a couple of bills when I walked into a coffee shop where I had a meeting. Afterwards, she asked me for money a second time. I was curious, so I asked her about her story and what she was going to use the money for. She told me that she was trying to save $30 to go buy vegetables at a local supermarket. That’s when I foolishly asked her why she couldn’t just grow the vegetables on her own. She replied that she didn’t have access to land to grow her own garden. That sparked my idea.”
Yeh had an epiphany of sorts, a realization that there was a need for the homeless and underserved who are trying to become self-sufficient to grow food in a sustainable, cost-effective setting.
“Normally, growing one’s own vegetable supply requires a garden space that is hard to acquire if one is homeless or underserved,” Yeh said. “I wanted to spread awareness for the concept of hydroponics, a method of growing produce without the use of soil. All it takes is water, nutrients, sunlight, and oxygen to create your own system.”
To test the process, Yeh went to a familiar place – the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills in Monrovia.
“It’s the closest community center that I knew was already working with empowering underserved children,” Yeh said. “I also used to play basketball there when I was little, so I have a slight sentimental attachment. I made the first system install my Eagle Project for Boy Scouts. I thought that this would give the younger Scouts in my Troop the chance to see an innovative method of agriculture. I also wanted to see if the system and the teaching sessions I held would work. This has turned out to be a success and we had great turnouts with the sessions with the children.”
A feeling that is apparently mutual.
“Nick exudes passion about the hydroponic garden,” said Amy Cortez, Teen Center Director for the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills. “He is committed to making a difference in the community by providing fresh produce to those who need it. Nick is also a natural born leader and it was amazing to see him work with his Troop to execute his vision. He is also incredibly professional and it has been a pleasure working with him. He is dedicated to teaching our young people how the garden works. Giving them the knowledge and tools on how they too can install one in their homes, so that they along with their families can lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
San Marino High School seniors Emily Chen, Sabella Singh and Naomi Lin are so impressed with the project they have joined Nick’s board of directors.
“Project Sprout gives high schoolers the opportunity to work with kids and teach the community about the process of hydroponics,” said Chen, the vice president and chief operating officer.
After the first installation, Project Sprout started working together with LA Urban Farms and using Tower Garden systems to bring the patented NASA technology to more underserved communities.
The group has also met with other nonprofits, including Midnight Mission, Friends in Deed, Ronald McDonald House, and Union Station Pasadena about potential future projects. They have also talked to various potential sponsors, including Wahoo’s Fish Tacos and Active Ride Shop.
Also on Nick’s radar is where he will spend his next four years. The varsity water polo player and founder of St. Francis High School’s Investment and Entrepreneurship club is looking at the University of Pennsylvania, USC and NYU as potential landing spots.
Yeh hopes to engage the community through the social media platforms that Project Sprout has set up.
“We’re always looking for help from others,” he said, pointing out that his project can be followed on Instagram @projectsproutinc and on Facebook, Project Sprout Inc.
