Theme: Finding Funds and Support
Garden Business Partnerships Bloom
"There are so few young people interested in going into horticulture
today," said Forest Lake Greenhouses owner Lisa King. "Our industry
needs good employees...and the future of the world rests on young
people understanding the natural world." When nearby Savannah
Grove (South Carolina) Elementary School scheduled a summer science
camp, Lisa and her husband Tim were invited to share their knowledge
and love of plants with fifth graders.
Lisa and Tim worked side
by side with fifth graders on propagation projects and fertilizer
explorations, and invited classes to the greenhouse for tours.
When students returned to classrooms, participating teachers reported
that their interest in plants remained high. "The kids were so
excited about what they learned that they shared their experiences
with parents," Lisa said, "and many brought parents into the greenhouse."
Some nurseries or garden centers offer discounts to teachers doing
classroom gardening programs. Others donate products (seeds toward
the end of the gardening season are a good bet). While not all
garden centers are inclined to offer discounts or donations, they
may support classroom gardening in other ways. One nursery business
agreed to grow students' second-generation space seeds in its
greenhouse when the school GrowLab was filled to the brim with
a salad project.
Plant of the
Week
A "plant of the week" project in the Lexington, MA, elementary
school was made possible by a partnership with a local plant business.
Science consultant Stephanie Bernstein reported that a local florist
agreed to loan a different plant each week with the understanding
that the plant would be returned in good condition.
Each Monday
morning, a parent volunteer put the plant of the week on display
(with a sign thanking the nursery) on a table in the main school
hallway. A sign highlighting the plant name, country of origin,
care requirements, and other interesting information was placed
next to each plant.
Mini-oranges, pocketbook plants, and other
delights brightened the hall throughout the year. Said Stephanie,
"The students and teachers eagerly anticipated the new plant each
week. I would leave one leaf aside that students could handle
and more closely observe. Back in the classrooms, students had
questions that lead to further explorations and activities --
like raising their own 'garbage gardens' from lunch fruit seeds,
for example." At the end of the year, the students sent a big
thank-you card which bolstered the florist's interest in helping
again the following year.
Tips
for Approaching Businesses
Some plant-related business owners may immediately see the value
of donating resources or time to classroom gardening projects,
and others might be supportive with a little nudging. Consider
these suggestions when asking business owners to support your
growing efforts:
- Describe (better yet -- have your students describe) your
growing project. Let them know specifically what types of
materials (e.g., potting mix, seeds, containers) you will
need.
- Highlight what you think your students will gain from integrating
plants with classroom learning. Remind business owners that
their support will help cultivate the gardeners, consumers,
and decision-makers of the twenty-first century.
- Invite the business owners to your school to lead an activity
or presentation, help brainstorm growing projects, attend
a salad party, or conduct a workshop for teachers.
- Let them know their support will be recognized to parents,
other teachers, and the public through letters home, signs
in the classroom, and newspaper articles or other public relations
efforts.
- If you do receive support from a garden-related business,
make sure to thank them personally and publicly. Original
student thank-you's can go a long way toward ensuring continued
and enhanced support.
Author: Eve Pranis
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© 2008
National Gardening Association