A few years back, my partner, Sarah, took on a part-time teaching assistant role at our kids’ charter school. While there, she noticed an unused greenhouse on the grounds and had a lightbulb moment: Why not create a school garden? With her background in horticulture and passion for gardening, she proposed the idea to the school administrators. They were receptive but needed funding to bring the vision to life.
Together, Sarah and I started exploring grant opportunities with a straightforward mission: to educate kids about food production, from seed to plate. We developed a program where students would design a garden bed, learn about the plants they’d cultivate, understand their nutritional benefits, and experience the journey from seed to harvest. Once the crops were ready, the kids would keep a portion for themselves and donate the rest to the school cafeteria to be served at lunch. Thanks to a generous grant from Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, some much-needed repairs to the greenhouse, and the establishment of around 40 garden beds, our school now boasts a thriving gardening initiative that’s become a hit with students, parents, and teachers alike.
Interestingly, what we initiated in our rural corner of the U.S. is part of a larger trend. School gardens are proving to have significant educational benefits as well as positive impacts on children’s diets. A recent study published in the International Journal for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity focused on schools with a high percentage of students participating in free or reduced lunch programs. The findings revealed that those involved in school gardening, combined with cooking and nutrition education, consumed an average of half a serving more vegetables daily than their peers without access to these resources.
While half a serving may not seem like much, as a parent, I can attest that getting my kids to eat even a small amount of veggies can feel like a monumental task. However, this small increase in vegetable consumption, alongside food education and gardening experiences, could lead to lasting dietary changes. Jaimie Davis, a nutritional sciences professor at UT Austin and the study’s lead author, highlighted the importance of teaching children about food origins and cultivation. Many families in these schools face food insecurity, living in food deserts and grappling with higher obesity rates. Understanding food production and preparation is crucial for fostering healthier eating habits long term.
If the prospect of kids eating more vegetables isn’t enough to convince you of the value of a school garden, consider that these gardens also enhance academic performance. One of the most well-researched school garden programs in the U.S. is OutTeach (previously known as REAL School Gardens). They’ve helped establish hundreds of school gardens across the southern states while training teachers on effective garden-based instruction. Their findings are remarkable: schools with gardens see a 15% boost in standardized test scores, and 94% of teachers report increased student engagement. Moreover, educators express higher job satisfaction due to the integration of gardening into the curriculum.
As we navigate through the challenges of the pandemic and work to safely return our children to classrooms, let’s keep the idea of school gardens in mind. Once we emerge from this crisis, advocating for a garden at your child’s school could be one of the most rewarding initiatives you undertake. In our experience, the garden has become a fantastic venue for family volunteering, outdoor activity, and a deeper understanding of food and nutrition. Honestly, I can’t think of a downside, aside from getting a little dirt under your nails—but that’s all part of the gardening experience!
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Summary:
Establishing a school garden not only enhances children’s understanding of food production but also positively influences their dietary choices and academic performance. By participating in gardening programs, students learn valuable lessons about nutrition and agriculture, which contribute to healthier eating habits and improved engagement in school activities. Advocating for a school garden can create a beneficial environment for children and their families.
Keyphrase: School Garden Benefits
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