Get a Garden Program Growing at Your School with These Tips As a parent, you probably spend a lot of time trying to keep your kids clean and healthy, but sometimes a little dirt is just what the doctor ordered. Research shows a direct link between children’s current and future health and their participation in gardening. In fact, kids who garden are more likely to stick with the hobby as adults, have a higher likelihood of excelling in group work and are typically more inclined to eat healthful fruits and vegetables when given the option, according to a compilation of research summarized by the Children and Nature Network. School garden programs While some children develop a green thumb at home, research by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program indicates a growing number of kids are learning about gardening in school - a tactic that’s proving to be a popular, effective way of teaching children important life and nutritional skills. A survey by Tractor Supply Company, which sponsors the “Dig It” school garden program, found 75 percent of polled adults believe hands-on learning is more effective than memorization and 97 percent believe hands-on activities help kids develop a more positive outlook on learning. Starting a program If you’re a parent or teacher whose elementary school doesn’t yet have a gardening program, Tractor Supply offers some tips on how to get one started:
1. Grow support Successful gardening programs require collaboration from school administrators, teachers and parents, as well as support from the community. Start by including all stakeholders in the conversation. Express the value of a school gardening program, share information about success stories in other schools, and look for sponsorship opportunities from the corporate community. For example, Tractor Supply’s “Dig It” program, designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, is available for schools in California, Pennsylvania and Utah this year. The program, which launched last year in Tennessee and New York, provided 88 schools with an enriched, hands-on curriculum and $500 grants to start or sustain a school garden program. More than 17,000 students were involved in the program. Upon completion, each student received a kid-friendly garden tool set and Master Gardener Certificate. 2. Choose a location Whether your school has a large plot of land or just a sunny windowsill, it’s always possible to grow a garden. With the help of things like raised planter beds and container gardens, almost anything-including a section of parking lot, an unused play area, even a rooftop-can be transformed into a viable, healthy space for plants to thrive. When selecting a location, consider spots that receive at least six hours of ample sun per day, can be easily watered, and can GetRuralLeaderMag.com | OCTOBER 2016 19
