Farmers Market Western Alliance Bank Supports Rising ‘Farmpreneurs’ at Green Our Planet’s Fall Student Farmers Market
More than 75 team members from Western Alliance Bank came together on October 16 to support an event that has become one of the most vibrant celebrations of youth entrepreneurship in Nevada: Green Our Planet’s 12th annual Fall Giant Student Farmers Market. Held at the Clark County Government Center, the gathering once again showcased the creativity, business skills and entrepreneurial spirit of students from across the Clark County School District (CCSD). With the help of teachers, community partners and dedicated volunteers, young “Farmpreneurs” transformed the lessons they have learned in their classrooms and school gardens into real-world business experiences.
This year’s market brought together 300 students representing 30 local schools, each arriving with produce grown in their school gardens, items cultivated in hydroponic systems, and handmade crafts created through their STEM learning programs. Over the course of the day, these young entrepreneurs sold their goods directly to community members, families, educators and volunteers eager to support the next generation of innovators. By the end of the event, students collectively earned nearly $12,750—funds that will be reinvested into their respective garden and hydroponic programs to support future growing seasons, science learning modules and business education activities.
The continued success of the Fall Giant Student Farmers Market is made possible through strong partnerships, including the long-standing support of Western Alliance Bank. The bank’s involvement extends far beyond financial contributions; its employees play a central, hands-on role in ensuring the event operates smoothly and offers students a meaningful and empowering experience. Throughout the market, Western Alliance Bank volunteers served as booth bankers, cash handlers and deposit processors. They guided students through the practical aspects of running a business—from counting cash and making change to tracking sales, calculating profits and understanding customer service.
These volunteer roles are more than logistical support; they represent the bank’s mission to help build a strong foundation of financial literacy among young people across Nevada. “The Fall Giant Student Farmers Market is one of our favorite days of the year,” said Jerrie Merritt, Senior Vice President and Community Development Manager for Western Alliance Bank. “Our bankers love helping students see how the lessons they’ve learned about budgeting, pricing and marketing come to life in a real-world setting. Watching a fourth-grader confidently make change for a customer or calculate profit margins is inspiring.”
Her reflections speak to the heart of the event. For many students, the farmers market is their first experience managing money in a public setting, interacting directly with customers and making decisions about pricing strategies and inventory. These skills mirror foundational concepts taught in Western Alliance Bank–supported financial literacy lessons throughout the school year. By practicing them in an actual marketplace, students gain a sense of accomplishment and a deeper understanding of how businesses operate.
Western Alliance Bank’s involvement with the program is rooted in its partnership with Green Our Planet, the organization behind the nation’s largest STEM school garden and hydroponic program. Green Our Planet has earned widespread recognition for its unique model, which integrates experiential science learning with hands-on environmental education and a comprehensive K–12 financial literacy curriculum—the first of its kind in Nevada. The program gives students the opportunity not only to learn how to grow food sustainably, but also to explore entrepreneurship, economics and community leadership.
Each year, Western Alliance Bank volunteers visit participating schools to teach core money management concepts such as saving, spending, budgeting and understanding the value of work. These classroom sessions prepare students for the farmers market by giving them tools to think critically about how to price their goods, how to evaluate supply and demand, and how to keep track of revenue. “By linking what occurs in the classroom with meaningful, real-life experiences, Green Our Planet’s program gives students the opportunity to think like business owners and community leaders,” Merritt said. “We’re proud to help grow more than gardens. We’re helping young Nevadans build confidence and financial independence.”
The farmers market also highlights a broader vision shared by Western Alliance Bank and Green Our Planet: fostering a generation of students who are not only financially literate but also environmentally aware and community-oriented. Through garden-based learning, students gain a deeper appreciation for sustainability, agriculture and healthy food systems. Through financial literacy and entrepreneurship activities, they develop leadership capabilities that will benefit them long into adulthood.
Western Alliance Bank’s role in strengthening these programs is part of its overarching commitment to community investment, economic empowerment and educational enrichment. The bank’s support extends through the Western Alliance Community Foundation and a network of collaborative partnerships across Nevada and other regions it serves. These initiatives aim to uplift families and local businesses by improving access to financial resources, expanding economic opportunity and encouraging long-term community development.
The impact of this work is visible at events like the Fall Giant Student Farmers Market, where students’ achievements reflect the combined efforts of educators, nonprofit organizations and private-sector partners who believe in the power of hands-on learning. As students greeted customers, explained their growing processes, and confidently handled financial transactions, they demonstrated not only what they learned but also what they are capable of becoming—innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders within their communities.
For Western Alliance Bank employees, the annual market has become a meaningful tradition. Many return each year, excited to reconnect with students and witness how their skills have grown. Their enthusiasm contributes to the positive environment of the event and reinforces the message that financial literacy is an essential life tool that opens doors to future success.
As Green Our Planet continues to expand its programming and reach new schools, Western Alliance Bank remains deeply involved in supporting its mission. Together, they are helping young people cultivate curiosity, responsibility and independence—qualities that will shape Nevada’s future workforce and civic leadership. The Fall Giant Student Farmers Market stands as a vibrant example of what can happen when communities invest in education and when students are given the chance to turn knowledge into action.
Through ongoing programs, volunteerism and strategic partnerships, Western Alliance Bank is reaffirming its commitment to empowering students, strengthening communities and enriching the economic landscape of Nevada. The bank’s support helps ensure that opportunities like the Fall Giant Student Farmers Market continue to inspire and uplift young learners for years to come.
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