Stephen Ritz

Founder of Green Bronx Machine & Green Initiative Educator

Stephen Ritz

Founder of Green Bronx Machine & Green Initiative Educator

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Biography

Stephen Ritz is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning educator, author of best-selling book, The Power Of A Plant and Founder of Green Bronx Machine. Known as the Child-Whisperer, America's favorite teacher, and 2015 Top Ten Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, Stephen is responsible for creating the first edible classroom in the world. He and his students have grown more than 300,000 pounds of vegetables in the South Bronx, were celebrated at the Obama White House three times, have been featured on the cover of TIME for KIDS, and are the subject of a new, full-feature, award-winning documentary, GENERATION GROWTH.

Stephen serves as a Senior Fellow in Social Innovation at Babson College, a Senior Teaching Fellow for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and as a Board Member for the NYC Nutrition Education Network. Stephen is now appearing in the new educational television series, Let's Learn with Mister Ritz, was named the 2020 Change-Maker Award by NYC Food Policy Center and CNN Food Hero for his response to COVID, named a 2021 Food Hero by TMZ Live, testified for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ending Hunger in America, and was awarded the 2021 Artemis CEA Disruptor Award for his work, advocacy, and impact in public schools across NYC and America.

Stephen was awarded 2022 and 2023 Best of Bronx and is a member of the Food Transition Team and the Urban Agriculture Advisory Board for NYC Mayor, Eric Adams. Stephen was named 2023 Global Food Hero and celebrated by Anthem Awards for his non-profit leadership. Green Bronx Machine was named by Fast Company as Most Innovative Company 2024. Recently honored as 2024 Food Waste Warrior by Food Tank, Stephen was invited to meet personally with USDA Secretary Tom Visac at the first-ever Agrifood Innovation Symposium: Cultivating Scientific Solutions that Nourish People & Planet to highlight the work and impact of Green Bronx Machine. He was also just awarded the 2025 Global Food Changemaker Prize in Social Impact for his work promoting sustainable and healthy eating among vulnerable youth by KM Zero Food Innovation Hub and the General Director of the NGO Acción Contra el Hambre, Manuel Sánchez-Montero.

Stephen's work has been featured globally in print and digital media and has amassed over 40M imprints. In partnership with PBS, Stephen debuted an educational series, Let's Learn with Mister Ritz, to over 2M views and just launched an animated learning series, Green Bronx Machine KIDS!, featuring a free curriculum companion for learners of all ages.

Speaker Videos

Students Plant Living Walls on the TODAY Show

Green Bronx Machine on American Graduate Day

Teaching by Nurturing Minds & Gardens

TNT Dramatic Difference: Green Bronx Machine

TEDTalk: National Health and Wellness Center at PS 55

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Speech Topics

The Power of a Plant: A Teacher’s Odyssey to Grow Healthy Minds & Schools

In this inspirational presentation, Stephen Ritz shares the unlikely stories of how he and his students farmed their way to from the poorest congressional district in the country all the way to the White House and beyond. Through the integration of green technologies aligned to STEM content areas, coupled with innovative solutions for inspiring healthy habits, Stephen teaches audiences how he improved test scores, attendance rates, graduation rates, and how he lost more than 100 lb himself! In a community with 25% unemployment, Stephen has partnered towards the creation of more than 2,200 jobs and shares with audiences the practical stories and actionable advice about how they too can affect great change in their communities!

Testimonials

"Your presentation to our Clinton Foundation staff energized us to dream bigger. We thank you for taking the time to do so."

- Clinton Foundation

"Stephen Ritz's keynote was energetic, inspirational, and it pushed the audience to endeavour into life-changing enterprises."

- European Assocation of Agricultural Economists

"With humor and generosity, Stephen Ritz brings hope and healing to a world riddled with disease and despair. His energy and enthusiasm is contagious, and I cannot recommend him more highly."

- Farm Sanctuary

"Stephen Ritz is more than an inspiration. No matter your position, he proves to you, that we really can change the world…A must-see for any person – or organization – that wants to make a difference and grow something great!"

- Alberta Motor Association

"Best keynote EVER!"

- New York City Department of Education

"Thank you for igniting our Nashville National Convention Opening General Session on fire! Your authenticity and energy level are unsurpassed! Your presentation absolutely resonated with our attendees as I knew it would. You are the perfect role model for inspiring others of the potential of what one person can achieve with passion, determination and love of children as the primary focus. In fact, several members of the outside audiovisual company staff – who have seen many presentations over the years – told me that yours was the best they had ever seen!"

- SHAPE America

"In this 8 years of Tengelmann e-day I have never seen a standing ovation from the audience until now! You rocked the stage with your enthusiasm! We are so impressed, thank you so much."

- Tengelmann Ventures

"He gave a fabulous speech that was very inspiring and our audience responded with a standing ovation, which doesn’t happen easily. The entire day was a home run."

- Calvin College

"Thank you Stephen! Your speech was both passionate and inspiring and really connected with the audience."

- World Business Forum

"Everything was fantastic! Stephen is incredible and he did an amazing job at both events."

- Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area