School Gardens

Overview

Schools are one of the most powerful influences in the lives of students; they can significantly help to promote healthy habits and behavior in children. Schools with a healthy environment foster improved student health. School gardens are one way to promote a healthy environment. A school garden puts the natural world at students' fingertips. They nurture a child's curiosity and desire to explore the world.  As well, research shows that children who plant and harvest their own fruit and vegetables are more likely to eat them.

Educators find that school gardens create the framework for interdisciplinary, collaborative, student-centered, experiential, and engaged learning. Visit the resources below to help your school develop an engaging school garden program.

School Garden Program Information

• USDA Farm to Child Nutrition Program Planning Guide - Includes great resources for school gardens.
• Nevada Farm to School
• National Farm to School Network
• Utah Agriculture in the Classroom School Garden Center (Resources on funding, recruiting volunteers, summer maintenance, and more!)

Curriculum Resources

• National Agriculture in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix (Search instructional, standards-based, classroom-ready lessons and resources now! Explore other opportunities for grants, professional development scholarships and awards.)
• Free agricultural literacy materials from the Nevada Department of Agriculture
• USDA Farm to Child Nutrition Program Planning Guide
• Download or purchase numerous agricultural literacy materials and lessons from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
• Obtain a FREE copy of Teaching in Nature’s Classroom: Core Principles of Garden Based Education

Gardening Basics

• University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
  • Food For Thoughts, School Gardens Program and Junior Master Gardner Program
  • Grow Your Own, Nevada!
  • Master Gardner Program
   

Risk Management and Food Safety

With endless educational opportunities in school gardens, educators must have a proper food safety plan. Potential food safety risks should be taken seriously. Produce grown in school gardens can be contaminated during growth, harvest, transportation, preparation or service and result in food borne illness.

• Nevada School Garden Safety Guidelines
• Nevada School Garden Food Safety Resources and Forms
• Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) (Application for implementation with older audiences, secondary agricultural education/FFA programs or high school students.) 
• Producer and Produce Vendor Certification (Recommended for school gardens, especially those wanting to use garden produce in the cafeteria, for sale or donation.)