Who We Are
AAt Word & Plant, we believe in the transformative power of reconnecting with nature. Through a blend of thoughtful guidance, hands-on experiences, and a deep respect for our shared ecosystems, we help individuals, communities, and organizations grow their relationships with the natural world.
Led by Dr. Deena Class, we bring a unique combination of professional expertise, cross-cultural experience, and a deep passion for nature to all aspects of our work.
Services for Individuals
Whether you’re envisioning a peaceful retreat, a sustainable food garden, or a vibrant outdoor space for your family, we’re here to help bring your ideas to life. Our offerings include personalized garden design tailored to your lifestyle and goals, as well as local garden learning circles—a supportive community experience where you’ll learn to cultivate your dream garden step by step.
Community Services
Giving back is central to our mission. As a social enterprise, we dedicate time and expertise to community projects at no cost, from school gardens to public beautification efforts. We believe in fostering spaces where people can grow together, regardless of their background or experience.
Services for Organizations
For public institutions, gardens, and green spaces, we provide consulting services to strengthen community connections. Through strategic engagement, community-centered interpretive communications, and vision/mission alignment, we help organizations amplify their impact by meeting people where they are and honoring their personal relationships with nature.
Our Services
Assessment & Evaluation
Interpretive Communications
Strategy & Facilitation
Community and Stakeholder assessment & engagement
IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) integration
Training & Capacity Building
Testimonials
Like a lot of people, I started my adventures in gardening by going to the hardware store, randomly selecting plants I thought were pretty, and then wondering why they didn't last more than a season (or even a month!) in my yard. I was about to give it up when I met Deena. At first she just gave me a little advice on which plants might do better here and there. Over time I learned more and more and became more confident in what we could accomplish together. Since then she's helped me prepare the soil for a soon-to-be wildflower meadow, curate a thriving pollinator garden with mostly native plants, and a beautiful shade garden in one of the harder to manage spots in my yard. Now she is helping me prevent erosion and restore soil quality with carefully selected plants and some intentional landscaping! It's amazing what you can do when you have a knowledgeable and flexible advisor. Deena is not afraid to try new things but has the expertise and optimism to support you and encourage you in your gardening design. It turns out this can be a fun and rewarding experience when you have the right support!
Deena Class has been a fantastic partner with the North Carolina Botanical Garden and provided an exceptional service! Her stakeholder engagement and research has contributed to the Garden’s vision of creating welcoming and inclusive interpretive materials that are responsive to a diverse audience. She has a very creative and unique way of synthesizing the data and sharing relevant stories that truly resonated with Garden staff. And, her work has provided so much more than we could have imagined! The knowledge the Garden has gleaned through her process has tendrils that connect across our organization that will help us support community interests in so many ways into the future. She also taught us how to do this stakeholder engagement ourselves — she was so generous with her knowledge and skills!