Built on a Promise. Driven by a Mission
Our Mission
Harvest Gardens is dedicated to celebrating food, farming, and family through immersive learning experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage healthy living, and cultivate a thriving community for generations to come.
We teach children healthy dietary habits to manage Type 2 Diabetes and address Childhood Obesity.
Our Programs:
Healthy an
Harvest Gardens is dedicated to celebrating food, farming, and family through immersive learning experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage healthy living, and cultivate a thriving community for generations to come.
We teach children healthy dietary habits to manage Type 2 Diabetes and address Childhood Obesity.
Our Programs:
Healthy and Yummy! Kids Wellness Program
Teaching nutrition and healthy habits through fun activities with the help of Hattie Mae, the PALS and Chef Maya.
Hattie Mae and the Traveling Trunk Reading Adventures
Literacy and storytelling initiative for schools and libraries.
Harvest Gardens Learning Experience
Interactive wellness and educational environment.
The Practical Appetite Learning Skills (PALS) Community Outreach
Family wellness, school visits, and mobile learning events.
The Team
Shawn T. Smith created the characters Hattie Mae and the PALS on April 26, 2000, for the children's book Hattie Mae and the Traveling Trunk.
Hattie Mae and her mother, Mama Mae, serve as the Goodwill and Good Health Ambassadors for the project, inspiring children and families to make healthier lifestyle choices through fun, educational a
Shawn T. Smith created the characters Hattie Mae and the PALS on April 26, 2000, for the children's book Hattie Mae and the Traveling Trunk.
Hattie Mae and her mother, Mama Mae, serve as the Goodwill and Good Health Ambassadors for the project, inspiring children and families to make healthier lifestyle choices through fun, educational adventures.
Hattie Mae is joined by her close-knit group of friends known as the PALS, who travel with her and Mama Mae to discover how children across the country are learning to live healthier lives.
Together, they explore nutrition, wellness, physical activity, agriculture, culture, and community through exciting adventures and hands-on learning experiences. The PALS team includes:
Pepe the Pelican, CeCe the Crab,
Gladys the Gator, Minnie the Magnolia,
Bubba the Crawfish and Billy the Seabass
Joining the team are two special friends:
Little Admiral, Hattie Mae's adventurous traveling companion who enjoys exploring new places and learning new things.
Chef Maya, an Executive Chef and educator who teaches children about healthy foods, nutrition, cooking, and making smart food choices.
Together, Hattie Mae, Mama Mae, the PALS, Little Admiral, and Chef Maya encourage children to Discover, Learn, Grow, and Thrive
The Sister-to-Sister Promise
The Sister-to-Sister Promise
Thealious T. “Tree” Smith
A devoted mother, U.S. Army retired veteran, and personal assistant to the late former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
On September 27, 1999, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital gave Tree just two to four weeks to live after she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme Level IV, a rare and aggressive brain
Thealious T. “Tree” Smith
A devoted mother, U.S. Army retired veteran, and personal assistant to the late former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
On September 27, 1999, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital gave Tree just two to four weeks to live after she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme Level IV, a rare and aggressive brain tumor, at the young age of 33.
On October 26, 1999, we as sisters made a promise — a sister-to-sister promise — to make a difference in the lives of young children everywhere. From that promise, the animated character Hattie Mae was born, along with the mission and vision of the Hattie Mae and PALS Foundation.
On October 27, 1999, Tree passed away just as she lived — peacefully.
Today, her legacy continues through stories, education, love, imagination, and the lives touched by Hattie Mae and the PALS.