Invite
Teens to Consult on Kids’ Gardens
Cornell University’s Garden-Based Learning Program has created a program to more
fully engage youth in the development of children's gardens. Teams of teen “consultants" receive
training in planning kids’ gardens, and then critique garden education programs
from the youth perspective. As a result, garden leaders and teachers find out
what turns kids' on to learning in the garden, and teen participants profit
from the chance to learn about garden planning and gain genuine experience in
consulting.
Now Cornell offers
their guidelines and support materials for assembling and training
your own team of Children’s Gardening Consultants at their Garden-Based
Learning Web site for free! All program components,
from planning through delivery, including all presentations and
presentation templates can be found at this site.
Citizen
Science Opportunity: Project Monarch Health
Project Monarch Health is a study of the monarch butterfly's
migratory behavior
and its relationship to the occurrence of a protozoan Monarch
parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha. The parasite is
not harmful to humans, but can inhibit growth and threaten survival
of
butterflies in the wild. This study depends on Volunteer Citizen
Scientists and
their collected data to map the locations and infection levels
of this parasite.
The
University of Georgia needs volunteers to survey
and sample wild Monarch butterflies; properly collect parasite
data; and send data to the University of Georgia lab for microscopic
analysis. Learn more about this exciting project and how to get your
school or organization involved.
California
School Garden Network
The California School Garden Network is a collaborative effort of educational
institutions and corporate partners committed to enhancing learning through
gardening in schools and other community settings. Visit
the CSGN Web site for support materials and links to helpful resources.
Soil
Surveys Available
The Natural Resources Conservation Service offers detailed soil and geological
information. Learn more about what's underfoot in your schoolyard and garden! Visit
the NRCS Web site for details.
Geography
Exploration: School Gardens in Africa
If you're looking for another way to tie geography lessons to your
school garden, here's one: read how the USDA, in close participation
with the U.S. Agency for International Development, is helping
the people
of Congo
and
Rwanda meet their
food security challenges, support sustainable agricultural development,
and promote education using school gardens. Adapt
material from this
article from FAS Worldwide to share with your students
and explore the similarities and differences in the history, culture,
and purpose
of the African
gardens to your own garden project.
You can also
use My
Wonderful World, a new interactive Web site to help
your students delve further
to relate their gardens and lives to those of others.
___________________________
Conferences
2006
National Children & Youth Garden Symposium ~ July
27-29, 2006
Presented by the American Horticultural Society and hosted by
The Missouri Botanical Garden, the theme of this year’s Symposium
is “Cultivating a Sense
of Place: A Youth Gardening Adventure." Workshops, tours, and networking
opportunities are capped by the keynote address by Richard Louv, author of Last
Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder.
Learn more at the AHS
Web site.
School Garden
Teacher Training ~ June 26-30, 2006
This five-day intensive residential training from Occidental Arts
and Ecology Center in California offers hands-on skills and theoretical
approaches to promote and support the creation of school gardens.
The course will focus on integrating the school garden into curricula
and state standards, as well as teaching nutrition, recycling,
project-based learning, art, team building, and fundraising. Learn
more here
American Community
Gardening Association National Conference: Rooting for the Future
~ August 10-13, 2006
The ACGA Annual Conference brings together hundreds of individuals
from across the United States, Canada, and abroad, who are engaged
in all aspects of gardening and greening. The conference includes
hands-on workshops, keynote speakers, a film festival, and visits
to parks, school gardens, community gardens, and other green spaces
in the Los Angeles area. Visit
ACGA's Web site for more details.
___________________________
Funding
Opportunities
2006
Hooked on Hydroponics Awards
The National Gardening Association joins the Hydroponic Merchants Association
and leading hydroponic gardening suppliers in presenting this 2nd annual award.
Classroom hydroponics offers eager students loads of opportunities to explore
concepts across the curriculum, from biology to economics. Twelve educational
programs will each receive a compact hydroponics package that includes everything
required grow plants successfully indoors. Application deadline: September
30, 2006. Learn
more here
Healthy
Sprouts Awards
These awards support school garden
programs that use the garden to teach about nutrition and the
issue of
hunger in the United States. Sponsored by Gardener’s Supply Company.
In this grant cycle we will present awards to 25 schools or organizations.
Each will receive a $200 gift certificate to Gardener's Supply
Company and a curriculum package from NGA. Apply by October
15, 2006. To learn more or download
an application, visit
here.
Golden
Carrot Awards
Is
there someone on your school food service team who is going above
and beyond to provide healthful foods for growing minds? Nominate
them for a 2006 Golden Carrot Award! The Physicians Committee
for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), creators of the award, will
give the grand prizewinner $1,500 and a $3,500 check made out
to her or his school or school district. Up to four additional
awards will be given, with $500 going to the food service professional
and $500 to benefit the school food service program. Food service
professionals in both public and private schools are eligible.
Awards go to programs that feature vegetarian entrees, low-fat
meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nondairy beverage items
and that promote nutrition education. For a nomination form, visit
the PCRM Web site.
Captain
Planet Foundation ~ Deadline: June 30
Committed to supporting hands-on environmental projects for young
people, the foundation provides grants from $250 to $2,500 to school
and community groups. The next quarterly deadline is June 30, 2006.
Visit the Web
site for guidelines and a proposal form.
Edith
Stevens Groundwater Educator Award ~ Deadline: July
14
This award recognizes educators who understand the importance of groundwater,
motivate others to protect groundwater, and lead by personal example. Anyone
actively involved with the implementation and delivery of groundwater education
programs is eligible. Visit
here for full details.
2006
Organic School Garden Awards ~ Deadline:
October 31
Do you use organic
methods in your school garden? If so, you are eligible to enter
this contest
sponsored
by
The Rodale
Institute. Teams of students and teachers are asked to submit an
essay and poster that express how they use their school garden
as a learning tool, how they use the produce they grow, and what
impact it has for the students and community. Three winning schools
will
receive
cash
prizes
of
$250, $500, and
$1,000. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2006. Visit
the
Web site for entry forms, guidelines, and information on previous
winners.
CVS
Community Grants Program ~ Deadline: October
31
Does your youth garden focus on accessibility and inclusion for
disabled kids? The CVS/Pharmacy Community Grants program is requesting
proposals
for
programs targeting children with disabilities
that
address any of the following: health and rehabilitation services;
public
schools promoting a greater level of inclusion in student activities
and
extracurricular programs; and creating opportunities or facilities
that
give greater access to physical movement and play. Visit
the CVS Web site for details.
Support
for Afterschool Programs
The
Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising
awareness of the importance of afterschool programs
and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children.
The organization's Web site offers loads of resources including
information on funding for projects. For more information,
visit the Afterschool
Alliance Web site.
Grant
Wrangler Funding Directory
Grant
Wrangler is a free grants listing service that makes it easy for teachers
to find funding. To see the full list of funding opportunities, and
to subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter, visit the Grant
Wrangler Web site.
June
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