The Organic Teaching Gardens are lead by Mark Manning who incorporates history, science, and public health into volunteer service. This allows students to learn the farm-to-table cycle and urban gardening. Students gain the experience of understanding the process of planting fresh natural ingredients of fruits and vegetables. This includes; crop rotation, environmental awareness, the culture of food, and eating behavior. Elementary and middle school students in the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, USD #500 attend the workshops throughout the year. Over 135 raised gardens beds are used for learning purposes and are harvested by the students and local Wyandotte County community. K-12 Initiative student volunteers work with Mark Manning to prepare gardening beds for the new season, assist with workshop preparation, and network weekly on Tuesday evenings at the various garden sites. Students earn volunteering hours.