Carmen Smith-Estrada

Carmen Smith-Estrada grew up in Maryland and has lived in Tucson for the past ten years. Carmen works at Mission Garden as the Youth Education Specialist and does curriculum development and planning for field trips and student groups. They have long been a lover of the desert and have worked with youth of all ages and backgrounds. Prior to joining Mission Garden's team, Carmen grew her knowledge as a long-time gardener and plot leader at Las Milpitas Community Farm. They spent three years as a bilingual garden teacher at Davis Bilingual Elementary School where they facilitated lessons in permaculture, planting, cooking and all things gardening with students. They also worked for two years as a farm apprentice at Cara Crest Farm, a local collective farm project. Carmen is passionate about working with youth and is continually inspired by kids' natural sense of wonder and curiosity when interacting with plants. Outside of their role at Mission Garden, Carmen is pursuing a Masters in Social Work with a focus on children and families and is a dedicated community organizer in several local grassroots groups.

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