StartOrganic Employee Gardeners’ Testimonials

It’s hard to convey the experience our employee gardeners get by being a part of our employee gardening programs, so here are some things they’ve said about it :

I love being out here - It's now part of my morning routine, I get here early to spend some quiet time in the garden before others come to work -- then get my coffee and start my day!

(After harvesting squash and herbs) I'm going to make a squash salad right now!

This is so much fun! I love being in the garden

(Harvesting garlic)This garlic is so darn cool! I had no idea

We come in on the weekends, it's our bonding time

We're redoing our yard so this is where I'm getting my lessons and growing things I'd never try at home because I didn't know how

Before joining this program I honestly thought I was a black thumb, now I know that it's not me!

I started growing my own plants at ome and it's so cool to see everything growing so well...after today I want to grow a bunch on onions!

I can’t believe I harvested yesterday and have even more to get today! I’m going to have to tell my team to come out here every day from now on!

Last week I used the eggplant and squash from the garden, cooked it with a little olive oil--my daughter and I loved it it was so delicious!

(While harvesting) I am SO PUMPED! This is my favorite time of the year!

After growing all this great food at work, I'm convincing my husband to build me some of these boxes at home but will definitely ask you where to get the soil--I've got a 19 year old that I need to put to work!

"I love coming out here (to the garden) especially when work gets busy because it makes me feel good"

“It’s the end of our fiscal year and we’re all asking ourselves what we’re grateful for.. I want you to know I’m grateful for this program” Vicki Box 13

“You guys have definitely inspired me! I’m making my partner build me raised beds at home for my birthday. No that I’m confident growing (my own veggies) it’s time to do it at home” garden participant

“I think I got 20 lbs if produce today in the garden.. I’m not going to have to grocery shop for a week!” Yu Lin box 2

“This is our weekly highlight! We’re going to be so sad when it’s over” box 7 team

Love to garden but no space because of high COL in these parts so it's nice to have space at work

Break from work, soak in some sun, makes the employees on my team really happy. Feels awesome growing stuff "naturally" and eating it when I get home.

Troy is fantastic. I've thoroughly enjoyed learning everything that he has to offer us. He's patient and thoughtful in all his teachings. I am proud to watch everything grow, its very rewarding.

Learning a lot about how to grow different vegetables - particularly winter veggies which I've not had experience with previously. Great to pick someone's brain about different issues we may be seeing in the garden (rather than trying to guess) and it's a good excuse to take 10-15 minutes out of the work day to get outside for a breather.

I like being able to understand what my food needs to get on my plate, it’s helped me be more mindful and less wasteful.

Great de-stresser

I like that I have a place to grow some of my own food. Troy's guidance is very helpful and it's great to have everything ready (soil, seeds etc).

The constant support and knowledge transfer from the StartOrganic team is most valuable to me. It's especially nice at an environmentally-conscious company like Tesla to be able to carry out that mission by growing my own food.

It is a destresser and empowers employees to work on their own gardens!

I've learnt a lot in bite sized chunks over the weeks.

During the summer, it was always fun going to the garden and harvesting ingredients for the dinner I would be making that night. I definitely feel a lot better knowing where my food came from.

I enjoy learning about the process of growing my own food: layering types of soil, levels of sunlight, and water.

I love the way StartOrganic has transformed the Tesla garden from a pastime for a few, into a stress-reducing educational experience for many.

It's interesting to learn about what goes into growing produce. It makes you appreciate the work that goes into it.

Excellent

I feel lucky to be part of the program and proud when I go home with my own produce. They have a different taste ;)

i lke gardening and growing organic food.

I love growing food . I have 4 big boxes at home and have been growing stuff and have been watching the Intuit garden for over a year . I need help on how to grow stuff round the year and how to grow stuff together . I would love to be part of this team and help and learn

I used to have a vegetable garden at home, but the deer, raccoons, squirrel and mice (rats?) eat everything and leave nothing for me! I'd love the satisfaction of growing what I and my family eat.

I would love to learn about it. I have a small plot in the back yard at home but I don't know how to take care of plants. It would also be a great way to make connections with co-workers.

A great way to learn more about gardening and meet more people at Intuit.

I want to have green hands and gain knowledge about gardening

I don’t have place to grow food at home and I used to grow some food for family back when I had access to land in my childhood. Want to continue to learn new varieties of vegetables I can grow in here. And share the produce with coworkers.

I love vegetables and being in nature. It's also a great team bonding activity.

I am very interested in gardening and I don't have a backyard at my home. I miss gardening I used to do at my hometown few years ago and would like to make the best use of opportunity provided by Intuit.

I have spent many years in the agriculture industry (part-owner of Lucky Strike Farms) and enjoy growing heirloom varietals and ghost peppers in my backyard. I also am well versed in propagation and know how to multiply through cuttings including use of silica and pheromones. Gardening is one of my favorite activities and I love growing consumable items and sharing them with my friends and family. It would be nice if I could my skills to good use at Intuit.

I grew up doing some light gardening with my parents, but I have never been able to do any on my own (other than balcony gardening because I've only lived in apartments). I'd love to learn more about organic gardening, especially fall/winter crops. It would be great to collaborate with my new coworkers, too!

I love cooking and eating organic and I want the opportunity to connect with workmates outside of the office/ conference rooms. We all need a little fresh air! :D

I love gardening and am very curious to learn more about growing plants and organic food. I have a small patio at home where I try to grow herbs and flowers but would love to participate in growing the organic fruits and veggies with awesome Employees at work 😊

1) to have my own fresh veggies that I can share with colleagues

2) to build and particulate in a community of gardeners right at Intuit that I can learn from

3) it's fun! :)

I am new to growing vegetable. Want to learn and eat fresh organic vegetables :-)

I want to learn from others how to grow fresh vegetables.

I prefer organic food and growing the food on my own excites me. I also want to learn the right techniques.

I enjoy learning about growing food. I have a small patio garden and am interested in expanding my skills and growing delicious food together.

Because I am interested in learning a gardening skill and it's fun.

1) To learn more about gardening and become confident in growing my own food

2) Get to know other colleagues at work with an interest in gardening

3) Reduce stress at work through gardening and having a connection with nature

I am passionate about organic foods but am a black thumb with gardening. I'd love the commodore and support and sharing education.

My parents are farmers in Italy and I'd like to keep my traditions here in US and unfortunately I don't have a garden at my house. I would love to cook and eat the food that I grow.

To learn how to grow and care organic vegetables in each of the steps.

Learn more for improving home garden.

I want to learn gardening from start and love for organic foods

I love being outside and I think it is a very healthy way of taking a break from work. I have taken care of vegetable gardens before and I really enjoyed it.

I would like to learn more about growing so I can do it myself at home.

Want to learn tricks and tips in plants healthy growth.

Want to grow organic to stay healthy

Learn organic methods to grow food

Growing vegetables gives me immense pleasure every time.

I would love to learn gardening techniques

I love looking at the gardens from the patio and seeing them change week over week and season over season. Plus, I love fresh vegetables!!!

I would love to learn more about gardening and how to grow my own food.

- Learn more about growing food as I've never done it before

- Reason to get outside during work

- Way to meet new people

It helps me connect with nature appreciate efforts it takes to get the food on my plate.

I live in an apartment and have participated in community gardens in the past for veggies/herbs which was wonderful.

I want to learn how to grow veggies. I enjoy gardening but I don’t have a garden at my current home as I don't have enough space. May be I can learn how to have my own garden in small space!! 🙂🙂

Go green! also, I love cooking. It is such great satisfaction to cook the vegetables that I grow.

The produce is delicious and nutritious. Gardening forces me to take a break from work and gets me outside.

I am passionate about gardening and I plan to cultivate small plants at home later after learning from this experience

To learn techniques that I can apply at home, to bond with my colleagues and to destress.

I live in a redwood forest and can't grow much that doesn't love full shade. I loved when I lived in a sunny spot and could garden. I found it really grounding (pun intended). But seriously, I loved nurturing my veggie garden.

because i haven't been able to garden since i moved to SF and don't have any outdoor space!

I have a general interest in growing plants. I currently grow a variety of ornamental plants at home but don't have the outdoor space to experiment with nutritional plants.

It’s fun. I’ve always wanted to have my own garden. Plus I can have fresh, organic produce!

Love organic vegetables. And helping to take care of this garden will remind me to take a break at work from time to time.

Can we have our own team box?

I'd like a reason to get away from my desk, do something fun with my coworkers, and have healthy food to take home to my family.

The produce is delicious and nutritious. Gardening forces me to take a break from work and gets me outside.

To learn how to be sustainable and grow my own food at home and have fun with colleagues :)

Because I'm poor. :( And have no green thumb.

I love plants, and cooking / eating organic veggies. I have had a vegetarian diet for 10 years, and my love of vegetables has only grown since then. I was on a team with the first round of Intuit pioneer garners before taking mat. leave. It was super fun! I loved it! I really enjoy the team building aspect of the gardening too. It is great getting to spend time with workmates outside.

I'd like to learn the basics so that I can continue to grow at home. Also excited about actually eating super fresh produce :)

I have realized how important growing things organically is, especially after I lost my father to cancer last year and I am higly suspicious that food, laden with fertilizers, can be a huge cause for it. Other than this inherent fear in me, I am a big foodie, and I know and have seen the garden boxes behind building 5/6, and was always interested to grow food there and would lvoe to learn and grow food at work.

I try buy organic veggies, as much as I can, and I hope some day we can have more affordable organic vegetables (atleast from what I see, organic veggies are a bit, sometimes a lot more expensive too). Through this I also hope to learn and try grow them at home too.

I want to eat what I grow. Enjoy being a garderner

It's very refreshing and relaxing to see the plants grow and harvest for healthy lifestyle. Also helps me get out of the building and take a break from work.

Relieve stress, watch plants grow

I have been going to the garden with my co-worker for a while, participated in some classes. I like to grow food and learn more knowledge about gardening.

because it's super cool

Cauliflower, Cucumber, Roma Tomatoes, Thai Chilli, Capsicum (Green Bell Pepper)

I absolutely love learning about the healthy benefits of growing food. I can connect with my colleagues and develop better relationships and if helps me break up work day and share with others!

I would like to join Ruth’s team. As you know I was on the spring/summer box last year so if I'm allowed to join again that would be great, but if it's too soon and I'm not allowed... I understand.

Health, break time, learn to grow at home, etc.

This is an opportunity for me to flex my green thumb while building connections with Intuit colleagues.

I love the community, learning new skills and fresh produce!

I learned so much from Troy and the StartOrganic team this last year! And it's been great team building! And fresh produce!

I think it is a wonderful opportunity to adapt to nutritious habits when having a garden of your own. You save money growing your own crops and is better for the environment! Also, your diet is much more diverse and healthy overall! You get some sun, vitamin D and add a bit of physical activity to your daily routine at the office. :)

I've long admired those who can grow their own food - we've tried a few times at home but I've never had the patience. Hoping that working as part of a team on this makes it stick. Gardening is also something my mom loved to do and was fantastic at so this is a little way to remember her. [I was invited to join by Ruthie Lichtenberger so I'd like to be assigned to her team.]

learn gardening knowledge and skills, bond with coworkers.

I do not have access to any farmable patch of land where I live, and I really want to learn how to grow my own food.

I want to experience the effort, joy and fulfillment of eating something I grew :)

Tomatoes, Green pepper

I am interested in learning more about how to grow food and for the opportunity to meet other Intuit employees who also share the same interest!

I love growing foods!

Team building activity

because I love growing food, and I don't have the facility at my apartment.

I am interested in learning to grow food. Doing this at work will be a good way to relax, de-stress and enjoy nature. I also think it increases appreciation about food - when you try to grow it yourself, you know how much efforts go into the food that we see readily available at grocery stores. And life is about enjoying these little things.

I want to get into gardening, have a few plants at home, but no yard to grow bigger items. Would be an interesting experience!

I'm a big supporter of eating local, organic produce. I currently don't have space to grow food in SF, so this is a great opportunity to do so. I also want to help promote wellness with my team at work and give us something to do away from our desks.

Feel more connected to food source, nature and meet people.

I think it would be a fun to be part of our employee gardening community and my garden at home it getting eating by wildlife.

New to gardening, Learn more about sustainable gardening, make connections within the company

Really want to get started. Really looking forward to it. !!!!

I would like begin eating healthy and changing my diet in order to better my health.

The campus gets more greener and hence the air quality.

Organic gardening helps promote health and reduces the need to use pesticides.

I like gardening from my childhood and feel relax and happy when I do that.

It's therapeutic and relaxing:)

The plots are located in a nice sunny area, and it looks like fun!

I love gardening and want to learn how to do this on my own as well.

I'm very passionate about gardening. I grow a lot of plants at home as well. But since I have a space constraint and I don't have enough sunlight, I'm unable to grow much, which is why I would love to have my space at work.

I love gardening

I plan to grow vegetables, primarily, tomatoes and peppers, and some herbs.

Enjoy nature and get a meaningful break from work!

Like organic food. learn planting skills. Use it as a break at work.

Test

I find this program of organic framing as a wonderful opportunity for helping the earth be more green, and a great effort for sustainability. Plus it will therapeutic to have a veg garden at work.

I love gardening and I love nature. And I don’t have a space at my home.

Both for the joy of nurturing plants (seeing them grow and yield produce) and to have a source of seasonal organic produce.

To get familiarize with planting process

I would really like to learn gardening, and I am a supporter of organic, sustainable food.

I would really like to learn gardening, and I am a supported of organic, sustainable food.

I am passionate about growing vegetables organically :)

Eat more organic, I love the idea of being able to eat what I grow.

I mean why not?

Always wanted to get into gardening. Learned from colleagues that gardening helps relax and reduce stress with added benefit of organic food.

I love gardening, I really enjoy taking care of the plants and see them grow.

This would be a fun group project that entails team building, fun, green living (source and eat local) and it's so awesome that Paypal supports wellness in this way. We will have fresh vegetables to share and enjoy.

I like plants and gardening. I don't have a huge space at my apartment to grow enough plants and this looks to be a great opportunity.

I LOVE fresh produce and do not have any outdoor space at home to have a garden!

Growing food is my hobby.

I would love to have the opportunity to grow fresh and organic vegetables. I also really enjoy gardening and it takes stress away! :-)

Thank you for the consideration.

Elba

Improve self sustainability and help keep the campus fresh.

I would like to explore growing my own food.

tomato and corn

Interested in gardening and don't have an ideal gardening space at home.

I want to grow some organic tomatoes.

I've grown some food in medium sized containers at home (tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, etc.) and would love the opportunity to have more room. I'd still consider myself a beginner and would also like to learn more. My long-term goal is to set up a few raised beds in my backyard.

I love gardening and miss having one at home since moving to the Bay Area. Even if I can't have my own space I would love to volunteer to help another gardener or participate in any way I can. Thanks!

love gardening.

I don't have space to grow food at home and I enjoy cooking and eating a variety of vegetables.

I'd like to grow some organic food since they are healthy, delisious and environment friendly.

Being from an agricultural family, I always wanted to grow veggies/fruits at home as this helps me eat fresh, nutrition, better tasting veggies. Also, growing food at work is like a stress relief, brings in positive energy in me and also a great outdoor exercise!

Because I am a staunch believer of eat local, eat organic and am huge farmers market supporter.

Its amazing that Paypal is giving this opportunity to its employees to grow their own food. It makes you realize the effort that goes in making your own food.

Herbs, some greens, or some plant that bears fruits or vegetables (tomatoes or small wild strawberries)

Learning more about growing organically and eating healthily.

The process to grow food in the garden makes me feel peaceful and there's no other place for me to able to grow greens and veges.

I live in an apartment and love to garden, but don't have the space. But home in Hawaii, I had a huge garden and grew almost all my own food. This would be amazing!

I like to grow vegetables, it's fun and relaxing.

Passionate about gardening and growing and eating healthy organic produce.

Tomato, onion, some other fruit

- Learn sustainable practices & techniques to grow food

- I believe food tastes best when you've grown it yourself

- Gardening is my way of practicing mindfulness

I'd like to try my hand at gardening, but I live in an apartment at home so I don't have the space.

In general, I love plants and spent time taking care of them. Either it's growing food or flowers, I enjoy it. Apart from it, growing organic food during work hours is great and will be a great benefit for me as per the recommended diet plan by the dietitian.

I have been going to the garden with my team members on most days and it seems fun.

Since I live in a condo in Santa Clara we unfortunately are not allocated any space for gardens. Growing vegetables, fruit and herbs at PayPal in a designated area is a great opportunity for it's employees. Knowing firsthand that these fruits and vegetables are grown organically without any use of pesticides is reassuring to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Promote organic farming

I have no land at home, and I have been looking for an opportunity to grown my own vegetables, and learn about the growing techniques.

Having your father to be a farmer increases the craving to do some gardening.

The garden is great as it can get a better sunshine time compared with balcony in my apartment. Also I Wish to be healthier and like to see the plant grow everyday at work.

because!

I live in an apartment with no patio and cannot grow anything much except some herbs at home due to lack of outdoor space.

I want to learn gardening and it also is a relaxing activity.

Trying to work on my health and would like to learn gardening and growing healthy food. Also believe this will help me do better with the nature.

I have been growing herbs in my backyard and am looking for ways to improve garden skills by growing some vegetables. This is a good opportunity to learn about garderning in general and share organic food

Because it's fun to do with co-workers. Looking to get a box for the GNS org.

I enjoy gardening at Paypal and was apart of a shared box and the team member who signed up/owned it left.

Its therapy for me to do some gardening in between work. Also I want to learn from the process.

I believe cultivating food at work promotes sustainability, fosters community, and enhances workplace well-being.

Loved the setup & some of the colleagues have been engaged in last year.

I absolutely love gardening but I dont have a yard or garden of my own !

Moreover getting to garden at work would promote sustainability , educate and encourage healthy eating habits to entire employee community, share fresh produce with friends and coworkers and bring fun to the work environment. I also see it as a great opportunity to bond and learn from fellow gardners .

Eagerly looking forward to secure a spot and start harvesting !!

It's fun :). I have a box in last year but missed it in the winter.

Nice balance to lawyerly work.

I had been gardening at work for a few years ,until Covid hit and I have been missing it ever since. I would like to resume this activity at work. It gives me the mental break to just be at the garden and spend time ,tending to plants.

I enjoy gardening and its a pleasure to be able to do it at the workplace too with paypal support

Growing food at work lets me enjoy my hobby of gardening and being eco-friendly, which I can't do at home due to limited space. It's a way for me to have fresh produce while also helping the environment.

I am new to growing plants and food. I want to experience it.

would like to experience see the plants grow and harvest. I think it would be very interesting.

A workplace garden can foster a sense of community and teamwork. It requires collaboration and coordination, which can strengthen relationships between colleagues and improve communication skills.

It's fun, and also help me to get relaxed after the work.

I live in an apartment and I don't have a backyard to grow my own plants. That being said, I do grow smaller plants like basil and dragonfruit at home. I would like to be able to expand my green thumb and give my plants more breathing ground.

I want to grow food at work to enhance personal well-being through a fulfilling hands-on activity.

Additionally, cultivating a company garden promotes sustainability and provides access to fresh organic produce free from any pesticides and fertilizers.

Also, I want to try and learn gardening as it provides a sense of care. I have some plants at home and maintaining them feels good, but I have never tried growing food from the ground and would definitely love a chance to try it out.

Thanks!