By CSO Jasmin, Metro Atlanta Region, Georgia
Hi! I’m CSO Jasmin, and I proudly serve as the Chief Science Officer for the Metro Atlanta Region in Georgia. Being part of the CSO program has given me the tools, confidence, and platform to lead with purpose, and my action plan, Let’s Grow Clayton (LGC), is the result.
Let’s Grow Clayton is a youth-led sustainability and agriculture initiative focused on building community, raising awareness, and creating access. What started as a small garden club at my school has evolved into something much bigger. We’re not just planting flowers, we’re planting ideas and skills that are changing the way people in Clayton County think about food, the environment, and community well-being.
In a place where every public school is Title I and nearly 10% of residents face food insecurity, gardening can’t just be a hobby; it has to be a life skill. This realization came to me during my first CSO Action Plan, the EWMA STEM Garden Club. While leading that project, I saw how important it was for young people and families to have real, hands-on experiences with growing their own food. That’s when the vision for Let’s Grow Clayton was born.
LGC is all about making sustainability tangible — not just a trendy word, but something you can see, touch, and be a part of. We’ve collaborated with more than 20 local organizations, schools, and businesses in Metro Atlanta to bring green education and fresh food to more people. Through our workshops, exhibitions, and partnerships, we’re helping families learn how to cultivate food, share knowledge, and grow stronger together.
Over the past two years, I’ve hosted two annual Sustainability & Agriculture Exhibitions, welcoming over 200 attendees combined. These events featured amazing partners like 4-H, the University of Georgia (UGA), and Science ATL. I’ve also been honored to share LGC’s mission on a national stage. I was invited to speak at the U.S. Department of Energy’s I Belong in STEM webinar and presented at the 2025 SLEPCoP Conference to over 600 STEM and education professionals from across the country.
Most recently, I launched the SproutWork Collective, a free workshop series led by youth and professionals passionate about sustainability. So far, we’ve held three sessions, including one in collaboration with the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the momentum is just beginning.
Let’s Grow Clayton is still growing, just like the change we’re planting in our community. Through this initiative, I’ve learned that when youth lead with passion and purpose, they can cultivate real impact. I’m proud to be part of a generation that isn’t waiting for change, because we’re growing it ourselves!
