School Gardens

School gardens are interactive classrooms where children can learn where their food comes from, science, genetics, history, mathematics, and so much more. They provide opportunities for students and teachers to spend time outside and eat the rewards of their labor.

School gardens create a connection between curriculum and the cafeteria, build personal and social responsibility, and represent an arena in which parents, students, teachers, and staff can work together successfully.

Create a School Garden

Start with a goal of getting a garden built and planted at one school, or possibly at several. Creating a successful model on a small scale will make it easier to implement district-wide initiatives (such as gardens in every school, or the inclusion of the process into the curriculum).

Local Resources

University of California, Master Gardeners program offers schools gardening support and resources

Online Gardening Resources

Kids Gardening
A resource and online curricula for teachers and educators by the National Gardening Association.
Edible School Yard
Provides food curriculum, instruction and resources for teachers, parents and schools in the development of school gardens and healthy food education.
American Heart Association Teaching Gardens
Offers funding opportunities for developing school gardens.
Yale Rudd Roots Parents

A Growing Passion: School Community Garden

Source: Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity