Growing Ideas Classroom Projects Resources

Kidsgardening Home — Member Log-in — Store

Click here for printer-friendly version.

Resources

There are many local and regional organizations that can provide expertise, networking, and volunteer support to schools garden. Here's a list to get you started.

In Canada -- National

Evergreen: Learning Grounds -- Expertise and aid with planning, design, plant selection and fundraising for public schools and not-for-profit day care centers.

United States -- National Networks

Master Gardeners -- Locate the Web site and contact information for your state's or region's Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners.

Agriculture in the Classroom -- Find contact information for your state's AITC program.

American Community Gardening Association -- can put you in touch with resources in your area via their extensive network

National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitats -- State and local chapters of NWF can help you with expertise, volunteers, and educational materials.

School Garden Wizard -- This step-by-step online guide to starting and sustaining a school garden includes everything you need, from building your leadership team to budgeting and cost estimation worksheets!

EcoSchool Design -- offers design consultation services. Their Web site offers loads of case studies that show what school gardens can do for students and communities.

NGA's School Garden Registry -- find school gardeners in your area to offer their suggestions, inspiration, and mentoring.

United States -- Regional (A short list from NGA's Resource Directory)

Boston Public Schools: Boston Schoolyard Initiative

Cleveland, OH: Parkworks Green Schools Program

St. Louis, MO: Gateway Greening

Wisconsin: Earth Partnership for Schools (habitat restoration)

California: Life Lab Science Program

To Help You Plan

Schoolyard Mosaics: Designing Gardens and Habitats offers how-to inspiration and advice, plus companion stories on how students in the featured schools and youth groups made decisions, built community support, and achieved learning goals. You'll also find loads of useful resources. (Supporters save 10%.)

Steps to a Bountiful Kids' Garden -- This information-packed how-to guide contains all you need to know to launch and sustain a school or community kids' gardening program. Topics include rallying support, recruiting volunteers, developing the garden site, starting seeds indoors, transplanting, controlling pests, making curriculum connections, and more. (Supporters save 10%.)

___________________________________________________