From an Idea to a Global Movement
Samantha Derrick co-founded Plant Futures, Ideagarden's founding program, growing it into a network of thousands of students shifting culture toward plant-centered food systems.
Here's what Sam has to say about being part of Ideagarden:
Ideagarden is where I discovered I am an entrepreneur at heart. It is an ecosystem of values-aligned food systems and climate innovators who bring diverse lived experiences and worldviews. As a first-generation Mexican American, I did not grow up seeing many pathways for women in my community to build a social entrepreneurship career in plant-based food and climate. Ideagarden was transformational. It gave me the creative freedom and platform to bring my ideas to life, and it showed me it is possible to build a career truly aligned with my values.
Ideagarden has supported Plant Futures, the organization I co-founded, with structured guidance, operational support, and a community of visionary experts who believe in building a better food system. With that support, I grew Plant Futures from an idea into a global movement, now a network of thousands of students and young professionals working to shift culture toward plant-centered food systems. The mentorship, accountability, and shared learning accelerated our growth in ways I could not have done alone.
"Building something meaningful requires allies, community, and mentorship."
One of the most meaningful parts of Ideagarden is that it taught me a skill set I did not learn in school. I went back to UC Berkeley for my master’s, but much of the real-world toolkit I rely on today, building partnerships, fundraising, managing operations, leading a team, and turning vision into execution, came through learning by doing within Ideagarden. It is a powerful reminder that communities like this can offer practical, values-aligned training that is complementary to traditional education.
To any founder considering Ideagarden, you do not have to do this alone. Building something meaningful requires allies, community, and mentorship. Ideagarden did not just help me launch Plant Futures. It reshaped my life’s trajectory and expanded my understanding of what is possible when you build with courage, collaboration, and imagination.
About Ideagarden Institute
Co-founded in 2021 by food systems innovators Will Rosenzweig and Greg Steltenpohl (deceased), Ideagarden Institute is an incubator and nonprofit sponsor that accelerates food systems transformation by creating environments where mission-driven entrepreneurs and their ideas can flourish.
Ideagarden Institute’s current portfolio includes Plant Futures, Climate Farm School, FARMpreneurs, and the Greg Steltenpohl Pragmatic Visionary Award. Ideagarden Institute provides strategic mentorship, operational infrastructure, fundraising support, and community to help a growing portfolio of founders and programs turn vision into enduring impact.
Ideagarden Institute has written multiple reports exploring the pathways to regenerative and holistic food systems – Funding Food Systems Innovations That Benefit Local Communities and Flourishing Farmer: Business Models for Regenerative Agriculture.
Find the reports here.
Ideagarden Institute also hosts a virtual, public book club exploring Regeneration in all its forms - join here.
To join Ideagarden Institute in its mission to lead transformative food systems-level change, please visit www.ideagarden.com/engage.
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