Common Ground in New Haven CT is a high school, an education center and urban farm that teaches and cultivates healthy living and sustainability to New Haven residences. A visit to their 20 acre facility with hiking trails, educational gardens and classrooms showcases an environment that hosts a variety of programs for enrolled students and the community.

Featured were live animals and gardens supporting their mission of creating a nurturing space to grown and learn. A teaching kitchen which was donated by IKEA in 2011, serves as the main culinary classroom and also provides the location for the cooking programs on nutrition and healthy food choices.

An abundant resource for educators and families, here sustainability is taught within a variety of programs ranging from home gardening to school enrichment programs and camps. Working closely with Yale’s urban resources initiative, Common Ground helps to involve New Haven, CT’s young adults with skills that provide work and education in urban forestry and environmental studies.