Established in 2018 by Ashley Bowden, Smiling Roots is dedicated to creating a deep and transformative bond between individuals and the natural world. Ashley, who is a certified therapeutic horticulture practitioner, artist, garden designer, and urban farmer, also possesses a certification as a garden educator from Life Lab and California teaching credential in Agriculture & Natural Resources.

Most recently, Ashley taught garden education to more than 450 students ranging from transitional kindergarten to fifth grade at San Martin-Gwinn, located in San Martin, California. During her four years at San Martin-Gwinn, she created an ongoing after-school garden program; a district-wide summer farm camp; a community pantry and seed library; built outdoor campus learning zones containing fruit, vegetables, herbs, pollinator plants, native California plants, drip irrigation and bilingual English/Spanish signage; revived and maintained a ¼ acre school farm; facilitated the first ever farm to cafeteria program; and procured more than $25,000 in grants and donations for garden & nutrition programs, social emotional support materials and art projects for the school.

Currently, Ashley is focused on garden education programming & consultation services, creating art and botanical-based products, and installing small scale residential art murals and garden spaces.

“I have a profound passion for providing TK-5 youth with hands-on, nature-based learning experiences that bolster their academic success, social-emotional growth, and help them achieve their overall wellness goals. Having been a child with ADHD who frequently changed schools, I understand how nature serves as a catalyst for acquiring new skills and enhancing self-confidence. Engaging with nature enables young people to better comprehend their role in the natural world and to foster an appreciation for the complex interplay between living organisms and their habitats. The advantages of offering youth immersive learning opportunities in nature are truly endless! Whether children are unearthing worms, picking tomatoes, or simply partaking in imaginative play, outdoor education offers a secure and supportive space for children to thrive.” -Ashley Bowden