The mission of Humane Smarts is to open hearts and enrich minds by providing opportunities for creativity and self-sufficiency in San Diego. Our primary focus is underserved young people aged five to 15; our goal is to promote life skills and self-esteem by offering programs in photography and other arts, gardening, and academic enrichment.
Humane Smarts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to open hearts and enrich minds by offering opportunities for creativity and self-sufficiency at SMARTS Farm. Over the past seven years, Humane Smarts has offered classes, programs and camps to over 10,000 youth.
Our board of directors includes artists, educators, farmers, curators, and experts in the fields of child development, addiction, homelessness, and criminal justice. We believe community interaction can set lives in new directions. We’re excited about the work we’ve begun and look forward to future projects.
Through Humane Smarts, young people are exposed to:
- Collaborative community gardening
- Photography and other visual arts
- Animals and the natural world
- Opportunities for leadership and self-sufficiency
Meet the Team
In the early 1990s, Susan Madden Lankford began photographing—and befriending—the homeless on the streets of downtown San Diego. Compelled to learn more, she gained access to a women's detention center and soon was shooting within its walls, speaking with candor with inmates and staff. Next, pursuing the link between crime and childhood neglect, she met with young people in juvenile hall, challenging them to face their hopes and fears through artwork and the written word.
Lankford's award-winning books on homelessness, incarceration, and juvenile justice are testament to many years of commitment to complex social issues. Her venture in the realm of documentary film continues this work.
Susan Lankford grew up in the Midwest and holds a BS degree from the University of Nebraska. She attended Ansel Adams' prestigious workshops, studied under such photographic masters as Richard Misrach and Ruth Bernhard, and spent many years as a successful wildlife photographer and portraitist. The parents of three adult daughters, Susan and Rob Lankford live in San Diego.
Tiffany has a background in Public Health Nutrition and Dietetics. She worked in school nutrition for 7 years where she fell in love with youth garden programs. Through her work with school gardens, she realized the deep impact that growing food has on students’ mental and physical health. Tiffany is so grateful to share her knowledge and passion regarding gardening, cooking and nutrition with the students at SMARTS.
As far as pecking order goes, Red Velvet leads them all! His wake up calls are some of the best in the neighborhood.
Come on down to the farm and say hi!
Working for Red, Salt & Pepper, spends her days keeping the youngsters entertained with all her great stories. She can be such a gab sometimes though.
Btw, she'll eat just about anything!
Inaugural Projects
Our two inaugural projects launched in San Diego’s East Village in May 2013. SMARTS Farm moved out of the city in 2019 to North County.
SMARTS Farm (2013-2019)
Hands-on gardening provides tremendous opportunities for growth, motivation, and respect for the natural world.
MoOPA’s ArtWall (2013 – 2020)
The Museum of Outdoor Photographic Art unveiled its first exhibit on May 15, 2013, a 386-foot wall of images evoking the interconnection of communities.
