Should gardening be taught in schools?

This is the question I was pondering to myself the other day.  As someone who loves vegetable gardening, the answer for me would be easy ... an astounding absolutely!  But what about someone who may not be into vegetable gardening at all, or only "dabbles" in it?  Why would anyone just dabble in vegetable gardening? We'll save that question for another time :)

However, I think it is a great debate question.  Let's face it, food is "kind of" important and if we can teach our youth where it comes from, how to grow their own, I believe it will go a long way for a more sustainable future.

And if gardening is taught in schools, should it be a mandatory class or an elective?

I would like to get your thoughts on this?  Comment below and let me know.

#172: Mike talks with Carol Niec and Kerrie Rosenthal About the Seed Keeper Project

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In this week's episode, Mike talks with Carol Niec and Kerrie Rosenthal about the Seed Keeper Project.

The Seed Keeper Project, now in its 4th year, is a way to recognize the outstanding work schools are doing in getting kids from Kindergarten through 12th grade, involved in vegetable gardening.

People are noticing the fabulous work these two ladies are doing as their efforts have been recognized on a national level that is discussed in the podcast. You won't want to miss this episode!

In this episode, here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is the Seed Keeper Project
• Getting your school nominated
• What your school will win if chosen in the Seed Keeper Project
• A special prize each school will win - JUST ANNOUNCED IN THIS PODCAST!
• Which schools are eligible
• Where do you send your nomination
• How you will be notified if chosen

Items mentioned in this episode include:

• The Seed Keeper Project
• Seed Keeper Project Facebook Page
• The Seed Keeper Home Farmer
• The Dunbar Garden Project
• The Peterson Garden Project
• P. Allen Smith
• Seed Keeper Chronicles
• Chicago Flower & Garden Show

About this week's Guests, Carol Niec and Kerrie Rosenthal of the Seed Keeper Company:

The Seed Keeper Project is our opportunity to recognize school gardens across the country. Each year we award a Seed Keeper Home Farmer and a Certificate to a school in every state and the District of Columbia highlighting their dedication to gardening.

Beginning February 3, we will post 10 States each week for 5 weeks in alphabetical order on our FaceBook Page The Seed Keeper Company.

During the week we ask you to nominate a K-12 school, any type of school, and post it on our FB Page.

We will draw a winner using random.org at the end of that week and announce them on our FB page.

When we send the Seed Keeper and Certificate to the winner, your name will be mentioned in the Certificate as the person who nominated the school.

We believe it our responsibility to take part in educating coming generations about the benefits of gardening and particularly growing your own food.

In the meantime, we hope you'll peruse this page where we share some of the responses and accolades our project has received ( including The U.S. Department of Education) along with the 2010 and 2011 winners lists. 2013 list coming soon!!

Seeds for Schools Winner #10 - Hutto Elementary School

Hutto Elementary School
Hutto, TX
# of Students: 552
Gardening Since: 2010

Hutto Elementary School serves pre-K through 4th grades and special needs units. There are 553 students enrolled and the school was founded in 1985.

They have constructed 32 square feet of garden beds that are utilized by various classes for hands on exploration and integrated lessons. The decision to start a gardening program was made because teachers wanted more outdoor investigations for science and math to meet the outdoor exploratory requirements from the TEKS.

“We would have a steady supply of seeds to choose from in order to keep our gardens useful,” said faculty member and application submittter, Vanessa Henson. “We are wanting to start a junior master gardener class and the seeds will aid in that learning.”

Each grade level classroom has its own square foot garden bed that give teachers the ability to facilitate learning plans around. Students are given their own area to plant seeds, nurture them, record observations and the of course harvest.

A garden gives their students that ability to bring to life teachings from the class room.

Seeds for Schools Winner #9 - Milpitas High School

Milpitas High School
Milpitas, CA
# of Students: 2,945
Gardening Since: 2012

The winning school with the largest enrollment this year in our Seeds for Schools program is Milpitas High School located in Milpitas, CA. With a 9th grade to 12th grade enrollment of 2,945 students, Milpitas High is just starting their school’s gardening program.

Their decision to start a school garden was made to reclaim a part of the campus that had been used to store junk and trash and create a garden where their special education students could get exercise, and learn skills for recreation.

“This garden would be a boon to [our students] in terms of learning social skills,: said Dave Sorenson a faculty member at the school and the submitter of the application.

Seeds for Schools Winner #8 - Woolmarket Elementary

Woolmarket Elementary School
Biloxi, MS
# of Students: 581
Gardening Since: 2009

Woolmarket Elementary school is a rural, county school within the Biloxi city limits. Founded in 1910 as the first consolidated school in the state, it currently has an enrollment of 581 students made up of grades Kindergarten through 6th.

Shirley Hardman, a teacher at Woolmarket, and the submitter of the application to our Seeds for Schools program, said the idea for a school garden came a little more than 3 years ago when her classroom was moved to another room that was next to the neglected courtyard.

“We decided to make it an extension of our classroom,” said Ms. Hardman. “This gives students a chance to interact and establish relationships in a stress free beautiful environment.”

This year Woolmarket was able to raise enough funds to add in a pond and touts the entire outdoor project as a hands on science environment which will increase interest in environmental stewardship.

As a side note, after this was written, Ms. Hardman informed me that WLOX ABC out of Biloxi visited the school and did a news broadcast on Woolmarket winning the seeds. She said the kids absolutely loved the experience and now can’t wait to get their hands dirty and grow some fresh fruits, veggies and herbs.

Seeds for Schools Winner #7 - Almaden Country School

Almaden Country School
San Jose, CA
# of Students: 420

San Jose, CA is represented for the second time in our Seeds for School program this year with Pre K through 8th grade recipient, Almaden Country School.

Barbara DeMoss, fairly new to the school, is the science teacher and resident gardener as well as the submitter of Almaden’s application to our porgram. Almaden, boasts a garden 60 feet by 100 feet and Ms. DeMoss’s plan is to incorporate the garden into the science department and make it an outdoor classroom.

“This fall the children and I weeded and planted pumpkins, watermelons, beans, carrots and radishes,” said Ms. DeMoss. “We have lots of plans for the spring.”

Ms. DeMoss’s plan for the seeds is to expand their school’s garden and use that as a teaching tool to connect the students to the outdoors through science class and lunchtime learning programs.

Seeds for Schools: Winner #6 - Great Salt Bay School

Great Salt Bay School
Damariscotta, ME
# of Students: 450
Gardening Programming Started: 2006

Our 6th winner in our Seeds for Schools program takes us to the state of Maine, in the town of Damariscotta, to Great Salt Bay School. Great Salt Bay is for students in Kindergarten through 8th and all grades are involved in the school’s gardening club. The 5th through 8th graders have taken it a step further and for students in those grades there is a gardening club.

The school boasts a greenhouse and a variety of raised beds where they have grown plenty of herbs, garlic and many different varieties of greens.

Great Salt Bay faculty are hoping to connect the use of their garden, gardening club and the growing of fruits, veggies and herbs to their science, social studies, math and history lessons (plants grown during specific periods in history). Future plans also include assigning students writing and research projects where they go out and find out more about the origin of what they are growing, nutritional value and more.

“We have a productive garden, raised beds and greenhouse that are well cared for and maintained by enthusiastic children,” said faculty member and application submitter Lorna Fake. “ We are in a community that strongly supports growing and buying local produce.”

Great Salt Bay hopes that the seeds they will receive will allow them to grow enough to stock the school kitchen and also to be used by their cooking club. They educate students about good nutrition and the role of local gardens and farms in promoting healthy, sustainable communities.

Seeds for Schools: Winner #5 - Allen at Steinbeck K - 8

Allen at Steinbeck K through 8

San Jose, CA

# of students: 800 to 900

Gardening Program Started: 2006

San Jose is well represented this year in our Seeds for Schools program. Allen at Steinbeck is 1 of 2 schools chosen from the San Jose area (we will talk about the other San Jose winner, later in the week).

Allen at Steinbeck is a large urban area school catering to the Kindergarten through 8th grade student body. Their gardening program was started 6 years ago when they moved into their new building and includes 8 beds where they have been growing plenty of herbs, veggies and pumpkins.

"We work with each grade to get kids into the garden going through the entire planning, weeding and harvesting process," says Shawn Shahin, a teach at the school and submitter (along with Kristen Corpuz) of the application. "The pumpkins we grow are used each year to decorate our school."

Allen at Steinbeck plans on using the seeds they will receive as a means to teach more indoor gardening, starting seeds indoors and of course to get more kids gardening. They would like to use "garden time" as a positive reward for their students.

Seeds for Schools: Winner #4 - Bullard Elementary School

Bullard Elementary School
Kennesaw, GA
# of Students: 1,000
Gardening Program Started: 2010

The mission of our 4th winner in our Seeds for Schools program, Bullard Elementary, in partnership with family members and their community, is to provide a foundation which fosters integrity and lifelong learning while developing responsible, productive members of society.

Who can argue? The Kennesaw, GA based elementary school which caters to K through 5th, just recently won an award from "Keep Georgia Beautiful" for the creation of their school garden.

"We try to incorporate the support of the community, scouts, students and parents, and our active PTSA," said Lorelle LoCurto, the submitter of the schools application to the seeds program. "Having the opportunity for all children to have such hands on learning would be valuable."

Bullard Elementary, which was just recently featured in the Duluth weekly for winning this program, has big plans for the seeds they will receive. They are going to implement GA science into their K through 5 curriculum to give the students a better hands on experience.

Seeds for Schools: Winner #3 - Allenbrook Elementary

Allenbrook Elementary School

Charlotte, NC

# of Students 422

Gardening Program: Brand New

Located in Charlotte, NC, about 10 minutes from the bustling downtown area, and boasting a student body of 422, Allenbrook Elementary school is our Seeds for Schools program's 3rd out 10 winner.

Their gardening program is new for 2012 and was initiated after Tina Cataldo (the school's recycling coordinator, and application submitter) decided it was time to expand the school's environmental program after they had already began teaching the students composting techniques with the help of Senior Environmental Specialist, Nadine Ford.

"We are hoping that the gardening project will extend from a learning experience to a useful community garden for the families who live within the Allenbrook Elementary school community," says Ms. Cataldo. "Our hope is to establish the garden and involve family members who will contribute efforts to maintain the garden over the summer months (as well as during the school year) and be able to reap the benefits of the garden for their families."

To accommodate their new gardening program for the students, Allenbrook is building four raised beds, which will be plenty of room to teach the students (and families) how to grow fresh, vegetables, fruits and herbs from the seeds they will receive.

Seeds for Schools: Winner #2 - Blackwell Elementary

Blackwell Elementary School

Marietta, GA

# of Students: 700

Gardening Program: Since 2011

Blackwell Elementary school is located in Marietta, GA and was founded 80 years ago. Their gardening program is fairly new, started only last year, by many novice but passionate teachers who were inspired by their assistant principal, Pam Roach, after she started the program.

"Our teachers finance so much of their classroom needs as well as the needs of our new gardening program," said Lisa King, a counselor at Blackwell as well as the person who submitted the application to our Seeds for Schools program. "This subscription is going to greatly improve the gardening program here."

Ms. King says she is excited about what gardening brings to the school, her own life and sees how the growth of the garden is leading the students to their own growth. Ms. King uses the school garden as means to teach the students goal setting as well as a means to establish "eco-therapy" groups at Blackwell.

Seeds for Schools: Winner #1 - Ravenna High School

Over the course of the next 10 days, we are going to feature our 10 winners from our recent Seeds for Schools campaign. All winners were chosen from hundreds of applications submitted during our open enrollment period for the program and will receive a 3 year membership to Mike the Gardener's Seeds of the Month Club.

The choices were tough as there were so many schools that were excellent candidates. We wanted to feature each winner daily to give you a better idea of who they are and the gardening programs they use to teach the children in their schools.

Ravenna High School

Ravenna, Michigan

# of Students: 280

Gardening Program: Since 2001

Ravenna High School is located in Ravenna, Michigan which is about 3 and half hours west of Detroit. At 100 years old, Ravenna is committed to a quality and rigorous education that enables their students to be prepared for the challenges that they will face in the 21st century.

Ravenna's application was submitted by Melanie Block who has been teaching agricultural science since 2000. Their school garden was started in 2001 with the construction of their greenhouse.

Ms. Block's philosophy is hands on teaching when it comes to plant science and the school garden gives her and her students just that. And who can argue? She has been named Michigan Agriscience teacher of the year ... twice!

In 2000, Ravenna's agricultural program had only 22 students and today that number hovers near 200 which is nearly the entire student body!

"When I told the students we had been chosen as one of the winner's, a big cheer went out throughout the class," said Ms. Block. Now, Ravenna's students are eager to plant some seeds and get their hands dirty.

Combining Vegetable Gardening with School Curriculum

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Do you have school aged children? Are you a vegetable gardener? Imagine if you were able to combine the fun and reward of vegetable gardening with the education your child receives in school? I was thinking about this the other day and wanted to do some research on the topic. As a father of two and an avid vegetable gardener, to me the possibilities of combining the two, seemed like a no brainer.

However, I wanted to find out from teachers in the classroom if this is something that they do. After putting out some feelers I was fortunate enough to get in touch with 5th grade science teacher from High Shoals Elementary School, Linda Cooper.

According to Linda she incorporates a garden in the teachings of different types of plants. Linda, who also taught 1st and 3rd grade, (I teach 1st & 2nd graders part time, so I know how difficult that age group can be at times with the amount of energy they have), says, that in the lower grades, lessons include learning about the parts of the plant, seed sprouting, the plants basic needs, plant life cycles and the effects that over population or scarcity of plants has on communities. “A vegetable garden can give students more experience when taught these items,” says Linda.

As well as teaching science, Linda also runs the 5th grade environment club which currently has 20 students that have built raised beds for the purpose of growing fruits and vegetables. “Our students are also getting ready to start up a greenhouse that was purchased for our school.”

In her program, students get a chance to learn about farming and agriculture, where our food comes from and vegetables the students may not be familiar with. All great teachings that could lead our youth toward a path of understanding the importance of growing at least some of their own food.

Beyond getting the students excited about growing their fruits and veggies, her hopes are that the older 5th grade students become as passionate about vegetable gardening as she is and they assist with teaching the younger students their new learned skills.

Linda also believes she can incorporate the economic impact a vegetable garden can have and has laid out future plans to teach students vegetable gardening combined with math as it relates to purchasing equipment, supplies and being able to either sell what you grow, or calculate what you can save by avoiding paying for the grown vegetables in stores. Yet another valuable lesson combined with vegetable gardening.

About the Author

Mike Podlesny is the author of Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person: A Guide to Vegetable Gardening for the rest of us, the moderator for the largest vegetable gardening page on Facebook and creator of the Seeds Club.

Watch the video below to learn more about Mike`s Seeds of the Month Club:

Vegetable Seeds for your School Garden

If your school has a gardening program or is thinking about starting one, then you are in luck. Mike the Gardener Enterprises, has announced they are going to award ten schools with three year subscriptions to their Seeds of the Month Club (averagepersongardening.com/seedsclub). “We want to give back to communities and being able to offer up our vegetable seeds to help enhance and grow school vegetable gardens, is a great way to do just that,” said Mike the Gardener owner Michael C. Podlesny.

Ten different schools will be chosen to each receive a three year subscription to Mike the Gardener’s Seeds of the Month Club. Schools that are awarded, will receive 8 packs of vegetable, fruit and/or herb seeds their first month and then 4 packs every month thereafter for three years.

To enter your school for a chance to obtain one of the ten, 3 year subscriptions, visit averagepersongardening.com/schoolapplication and fill out the online application form. The deadline to submit your application is January 31st, 2012. Winners will be notified on or about February 17th, 2012 and schools will start receiving seeds in March of 2012. Just in time for spring.

“There are so many possibilities for tying in vegetable gardening with learning, that it comes as no surprise that we see school gardens are on the rise,” continued Podlesny. “Once kids learn how easy and fun it is to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs from seeds, they will want to carry this beneficial skill with them for the rest of their lives.”