We live in an extraordinary age. Our young astronauts reach for the stars, our scientists unlock the mysteries of the universe, our engineers and programmers build worlds that once existed only in our imagination, and our doctors continue to push the boundaries of what medicine can achieve. We should celebrate every one of these accomplishments.
But as we reach further into the future, we must never forget the ground beneath our feet.
Humanity, no matter how advanced we become, will always be part of nature. We are born from the same elements that make up the Earth, and our lives depend on the intricate relationships between healthy soil, clean water, nourishing food, and the living ecosystems around us. The health of our bodies, the wellbeing of our communities, and the future of our children are inseparable from the health of the natural world.
When we disconnect ourselves from nature, we risk forgetting one of the most fundamental truths of our existence: we cannot thrive indefinitely while neglecting the very systems that sustain us.
This is why I believe that my generation has a special responsibility. While the next generation explores new frontiers, we must do everything we can to preserve the foundations of human wealth that no technological achievement can replace: health, wellbeing, community, and a meaningful connection to the Earth.
We must make room again for vegetable gardens in our backyards, fruit trees in our neighborhoods, fresh and nourishing food on our tables, and children who understand where their food comes from. We must make growing something together as natural as shopping for it. And we must ensure that access to seeds, gardening, and the joy of growing food is not a privilege reserved for a few, but an opportunity available to everyone.
I am incredibly excited to announce that, thanks to our wonderful partner, Baker Creek Seed Company, I will be expanding my Little Sprouts project in 2027!
Together, we aim to bring even more free heirloom seeds to communities across the United States, helping more families, children, schools, and neighborhoods discover the simple yet profound joy of growing their own food.
I hope you will join me in this journey. Whether you have a large backyard, a tiny garden, a few pots on a balcony, or simply a desire to make a difference, there is a place for you in this movement.
Because perhaps, at the end of our journey, the true measure of our lives will not be how much we accumulated, how far we traveled, or how many things we built for ourselves. Perhaps it will be reflected in how many seeds of kindness, knowledge, hope, and life we planted in the world while we were here.
Some of those seeds will grow in the soil. Others will grow in the hearts and minds of children. And many will continue to flourish long after we are gone.
Let us sow good seeds while we can. Let us nurture the Earth that nurtures us. And let us leave behind a world in which future generations are not only more technologically advanced, but also healthier, more compassionate, and more deeply connected to the natural world.
To find out more about “Little Sprouts” and to support us, please visit: vladav,org