While directing auxiliary programs at an independent school in Chicago in 2006, Logan McFadden had the idea to create a hands-on, immersive introduction to practical skills-based learning, providing a platform for young people to gain confidence and familiarity around the tools necessary to grow and cook food, sew clothing, repair a bike, and use carpentry skills. While completing a one year immersive Farm Education Fellowship at The Farm School in Athol, Mass., Logan fell in love with the region and found it to be an ideal location to build this idea into a full-fledged organization. Logan piloted the program in the Spring of 2019 with middle school students from The Chicken Coop School at The Farm School in Orange. Since then, Build Repair Grow has taken root in the fertile soil of Massachusetts. We formally incorporated in February 2020 and obtained 501(c)(3) status in July.

In Summer 2020, Build Repair Grow launched its first programs in collaboration with local agency partners. Build Repair Grow distributed 600 take home project kits to families in the city of Holyoke, MA, in collaboration with agency partner Neighbor to Neighbor. These project kits focused on planning a pollinator garden and sewing a mask. Build Repair Grow also engaged nine middle and high school students in a six-week online class centered on creating a digital library of tutorial videos to accompany the mask kits, in collaboration with agency partner MassHire.