Proposal for School Vegetable Gardening Projects in Westchester County Schools

There is a need for the kind of learning, and the products, that grow out of vital, well-organized school gardening projects.


Why organic vegetable gardening?

  • Sustainability

  • Skills for the future and now

  • Academic skills taught through hands-on activities—see [insert link here]

  • Gardening/productive skills; social skills---cooperation, sharing, hard work

  • Encourage healthy eating--'if they grow it, they will eat it'

  • Outdoor exercise with a clear result

  • Involvement in the natural world's processes and cycles, so lacking in many children

  • Community: involve parents, others in community (the resulting produce may be sold, raffled, used by the school dietary service, etc.)

  • Tradition: connection with times past and with other cultures


Why Westchester County schools?

  • There are "greening and growing" movements in many cities/urban locations and an increasing number of schools nationwide

  • Many Westchester schools have existing land and even gardens, if largely disused

  • Schools may have existing high school horticulture programs--a great source of materials and mentors

  • Some neighborhoods lack access to fresh vegetables


Why younger kids/Special Ed students?

  • Ongoing skill set with tasks and concepts at every level: best to start early

  • Multi-sensory education is a superior method for those who learn differently

  • Math and Science for younger children is best taught hands-on

  • Instill healthy eating and outdoor habits as early as possible

  • Obesity, diabetes, other health problems are present in increasingly younger children

  • Mentoring of younger kids by older kids sets up the notion of progression

  • All will gain a sense of, and ask questions about, our food supply


Why now?

  • Economic downturn: explore future-oriented skills and procedures

  • Need for many kinds of sustainable projects

  • Need for new skills in every child; self-sufficiency

  • An effective, evidence-based, real-world learning experience in an age of excessive testing

 

Why Kids Grow Greener (qualifications, experience)?

  • Operated by a NYS certified teacher, grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities

  • Longtime organic vegetable gardener, “healthy gourmet” cook

  • Experienced in setting up and carrying out long-term projects with kids and teachers.

  • Skilled at recognizing and utilizing “teachable moments”

  • High level of energy, organization, literacy/presentation, and people skills

  • Can delegate, but have strong personal work ethic, enjoy finding solutions

  • Committed to spreading the benefits of hands-on learning, including organic food gardening, to all children, especially urban children and those who learn differently