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I can tell that Mackenzie B was just as excited as her students were about the seed dissecting class she hosted at her local library! Working with kids and sparking their curiosity and watching their face light up is so rewarding!

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One example of success that I have for me as a new Garden Educator was on a field trip to a local farm we took this past fall 2023. One of the activities was for the kids to help dig up potatoes. Some of the kids had no idea that potatoes grew underground! They used their hands to feel around for them and they had a blast. Those same potatoes were brought to our school, processed and served at lunchtime. The difference between the second graders that helped to dig up those potatoes and the other younger students that have not been on the field trip was quite amazing. If the students are part of the process they are invested.

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One common theme I have observed so far is that by engaging students with hands on learning experiences is quite rewarding for the student and the teacher.

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Follow up questions about success stories.

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Follow up questions about success stories.

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For Mackenzie B here is my follow up question. What will be the next topic or activity for your class? Its seems the seed dissecting was a huge hit!

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I liked the seed dissection idea, what a great way to engage kids in botany lessons without using the word botany.

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I love that! We dug potatoes too as part of a field trip with similar result. The kids loved the mud and had no idea how they grew and that there were multiple different types and colors. McKenzie B

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It’s so much more fun and sticks with the kids for much longer than a book lesson.

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It really is so fun. Kids will do it every year even if they have done it before. It’s also fun to plant the seeds in clear zip lock bags after to watch them sprout and grow roots. McKenzie B

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Having involved so many students in the hydroponics grow towers lets kids see the entire process of planting, growing, all the way to harvest and serving lets kids engage in the process.

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As students engage in outdoor learning opportunities to develop their soft skills (communication, collaboration, planning, leadership, student agency) that will serve them beyond the classroom or garden.

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I took a lot of value from Anna's post in which she mentioned student leadership taking over the role of maintaining their hydroponic grow towers. Kids will care so much about the food in their cafeteria if they grow it themselves! Additionally, giving students the opportunity to co-create learning and by "letting kids be the gardener", students will be more engaged and care about the outcome of the projects.

-Jenny Shanks

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From what McKenzie B mentioned, students loved to dissect seeds and watch them grow. Getting students involved with hands-on learning is one of the best ways to keep them engaged and to cultivate a sense of wonder. I've heard this from many others doing garden/ nature based education, especially in the material we've been exposed to through the course.

-Jenny

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From several of the posts, something I observed is the mention of a dedicated teacher, staff member, or volunteer who takes on the majority of the garden organization and responsibility. School gardens are almost always a lot of work, and they are a labor of love! It is critical to have a garden leader, and a paid position is always better. In regards to sustainability, it's also important to network a small group/ community of dedicated school gardeners (task force) so if someone leaves the whole program doesn't crumble.

-Jenny Shanks

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I was inspired that the students were working so diligently to care for 29 hydroponic tower systems and even the staff partook. Growing their own food is a great way to add to the lunch menu and get the student wanting to eat fresh salads.

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It was great that the children learned about birds and what a diversion is and how to apply it successfully.

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In each video the children were very eager to learn how to grow and play in the gardens whether at school or home.

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No matter the size of the garden, and most were small, it created a great learning and growing opportunity for the children, staff and procurer of the garden space.

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I think the moist inspiring things about all these stories is that the teachers are just as excited as the students and its a learning journey for all of us and that’s what makes it successful and worth it.

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I think the moist inspiring things about all these stories is that the teachers are just as excited as the students and its a learning journey for all of us and that’s what makes it successful and worth it.

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Having all the children be involved and emerging in the hands on experience is just so awesome, I wish the schools I went to as a kid had opportunities like this I would of thrived from it.

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Having all the children be involved and emerging in the hands on experience is just so awesome, I wish the schools I went to as a kid had opportunities like this I would of thrived from it.

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A common theme I have would be the teacher student involvement the team building and growing together is so positive. 

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A common theme I have would be the teacher student involvement the team building and growing together is so positive. 

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My follow up question would be to all teachers,

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My follow up question would be to all teachers,

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How would any of you incorporate foods that you grow into a curriculum and classroom full of 3 year olds?

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I am just starting out so I do not really have a success story for it yet.

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I am just starting out so I do not really have a success story for it yet.

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I felt connected to the idea of growing a strawberry bed in a childcare setting because of the age of the children and because this is something I plan to attempt.

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I am wondering how the painted rocks kept the birds away.

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I loved your idea of seed dissection with a group of homeschooled kids!

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Everyone who posted was an inspiration to me. Esme especially spoke to me because of how she wants to volunteer in the new garden.

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I think Anna getting all 29 of those Fork Farms is incredible. They had to think fast and really transition their program to adapt.

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Obviously passion for children and teaching about gardens.

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What were the specific goals you set and did you set them as a committee or a school? What did that goal setting process look like?

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I think sustainable goals would be important. I like the idea of teaching student leadership and ownership of gardens and processes.

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I am so inspired and encourage to hear everyone's success stories. We so often get bogged down by the hardships of this world and it is uplifting to hear about all the good work each and everyone of you is doing in your communities to get kids in the garden and learning how to grown their own food. Nice work everyone!

-Tracy W from Haines, AK

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Too often we hear about successful projects that die off after the champion has retired or moved on. I was grateful to hear that some of you have found ways to keep programs going so that even after that super inspired or hardworking individual has moved on, the garden, or educational growing project can continue to serve students.

-Tracy W Haines, AK

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Everyone is excited about their projects and excited to engage students in growing their own food. That is incredible!

Tracy W Haines, AK

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I would really like to hear future goals and plans for many of these projects. Where do you see your garden space 5 or even 10 years from now? Do you have expansion projects in mind? Do you want to add a compost or hydroponics tower? How do you envision growing your project throughout the years?

-Tracy W Haines, AK

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I appreciated the information about how some of you found ways to keep your garden going and growing even as different folks take on leadership roles at the garden. This is something that I need to start thinking about. How can I keep the educational garden space thriving even after I move on?

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I think this work itself is inspirational, and that we are an inspired bunch of smart and committed people. Garden People!

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It was just so amazing to see how many different types of people are taking this course. I first thought it was only teachers, but it is so cool to see how many people/organizations are inspired to learn more about garden based teaching.

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It was just so amazing to see how many different types of people are taking this course. I first thought it was only teachers, but it is so cool to see how many people/organizations are inspired to learn more about garden based teaching.

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I see so many teachers taking the learning outside - they are teaching the same curriculum that could be done in the classroom, but making it hands-on and more engaging! Kids are so much more likely to absorb information and learn in the garden/outdoor environment. 

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I see so many teachers taking the learning outside - they are teaching the same curriculum that could be done in the classroom, but making it hands-on and more engaging! Kids are so much more likely to absorb information and learn in the garden/outdoor environment. 

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I love all the successful stories and the help

they recieve

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learning new technologies all the experince people and the knowledge they bring

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hands on, with the children

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I was inspired by how educators, teachers, students stepped up to participate in the garden. What makes these successes a reality are all these members of the community coming together to give and create.

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There’s a wonderful combination of resources, education and community participation happening in most of these success stories.

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Some of the common themes I observed were:

Great enthusiasm for the work being done

Plenty of participation

Availability of resources

Creativity

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I would love to have some time to talk to the educator in Alaska! They have 20-something beds! WOW. I would love to know how they manage all those bed and learn more about the myriad of activists they’ve developed over the 10 years they’ve overseen the garden.

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A few concepts I found interesting:

Training the teachers about the garden

Hiring high school interns to care for the garden in the summer

Hosting gardening programs after-school

Composting

Using the harvest foods to feed the kids during lunch

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The importance of selecting the proper plants for your area/region seemed to be a common thread throughout the presentations. Also, the care and maintenance of said plants was stressed. Composting and hydroponics are great additions to any gardening practices as well as the utilization of community partners (Master Gardeners, schools, nutritionists, residents who have interests in gardening).

Tammy Peterson, City of Pinellas Park, FL, Patti Johnson Farm

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Success in the garden is about working together and sharing a vision. Every seed that grows, every hand that helps in the garden, every success (and failure) is an opportunity for learning!

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Students need to have opportunities to be outside, participate in hands-on learning opportunities and explore the many activities that can be provided by the garden classroom.

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I truly admire everyone that is working with students in the garden. The questions I have, have to do with management of students, expecially if you have a large class. One of the schools I work with has a single teacher working with 28-30 students in a half acre garden. Being able to keep an eye on all students at all times is nearly impossible. They need some ideas to help the admin realize that over populating a class is making the wonerful learning opportunities very difficult and sometimes even impossible.

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I like the Takshanuk Watershed school's idea for composting the leftovers from the school cafeteria, excellent idea!

I also enjoyed the hydroponic towers that grew lettuce with the kids involved.

And finally, the seed dissection sounds like another great idea for learning.

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I was not familiar with this concept and am very interested in learning more about it. I am familiar with plant community concept in working with native plant habitats, but had not thought about applying it to edible fruit gardening.

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success stories discussion - general garden themes

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success stories discussion - general garden themes

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Getting volunteers with expertise to assist with the programs is importnant. Especially during extended periods when school is not in session. Sustaining the gardens--even after the garden educator moves on or the school admisitrator staff turns over, is an enduring challenge.

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I found all of the posted videos to be inspiring. they emphasize how importnant school gardens are for youth learning.

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I was impressed by the variety of success stories. Some were smaller in scale and others bigger, but all successes in the fullest sense. A good reminder that everyone has to start somewhere, and others are from a program that has existed for a long time, while others are just getting started. I am inspired by all the interest from various backgrounds.

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Michele G mentioned that she helped host an event that 140 teachers came to to learn how to garden! That number of people, especially classroom teachers looking to be involved in garden education and learning is so hopeful!

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Anna mentioned that her school got grow towers and students took responsibility for caring for them. Without the sustained care and excitement from the students, they may not exist!

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It takes a lot of hands. Most stories mentioned a team, volunteers, students, parents, teachers.

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I am looking to feature seeds during our school's Sciencefest in may. I think a seed dissection would be a great addition to the table. MacKenzie mentioned roots and leaves so I'm assuming the beans were soaked first. I'm curious to learn more about how she did this activity!

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I think Tracy's story was most applicable to my work. I feel inspired to hear that the garden is completely student run!! and that they have a small compost system that can handle food waste from the cafeteria. Something to dream of in the future.

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I'm very interested in how fruit guilds aid in the health of the fruit trees.

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Teamwork is the consistent feature in these projects whether teamwork focuses on teachers and students or teachers, students, and master gardeners or community members.

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Teamwork and passion for growing plants are the two prevalent themes. Without teamwork and passion, creating gardening opportunities for schools and students will be much more difficult.

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With declining enrollments and budget cuts in schools, how are classrooms funding their school gardens from the ground up?

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Tapping interested teachers and high school helpers is a great way to begin the process. Classroom gardens need individuals who can help drive the mission.

I also loved the strawberry bed idea. I tend to think of vegetables for classroom gardens, but strawberries are a great way for younger students to participate.

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I like what Tracy had to say about her composting program. I have started this but it is not taking off as fast as I would like for it to. Trying to get a system that works best to collect the scraps is somewhat challenging.

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I like how Esmerila begin a garden with a lot of success. The idea of having summer camps and opening the garden up during days off was really interesting.

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Everyone is committed to making the garden work for their local area. Lots of dedication to helping students learn.

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How do you keep the program going through the summer months.

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The pre-school gardens were something I found to be helpful. We have a elementary garden but the pre-school children have not been involved.

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I was quite impressed by the success story in Alaska! It is fascinating to me that so much can grow there, considering the absence of light during certain parts of the year and the fact that the climate is so cold.

Allie Crawford

Eugene, OR

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I think the aspect of planning ahead is so important. I am already thinking of so many ways we need to be better prepared for next year! For example- I started my new position too late in the year to have done cover crops but that is something I really want to do later this fall.

Allie Crawford

Eugene, OR

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It seems that many people have been planning ahead as they implement their programs- looking at the longer and larger picture of how what they are doing will grow and evolve.

Allie Crawford

Eugene, OR

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I would really like to know how people find funding and grants specific to their garden outreach programs. When I google grants online it seems quite overwhelming and time consuming trying to weed through so many.

Allie Crawford

Eugene, OR

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I really liked the success story related to the indigenous garden program. They have created a community relationship with the tribes in their area and fostered a beautiful relationship using the garden as a conduit.

Allie Crawford

Eugene, OR

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I found it inspiring that every challange was met with success! I also love all of the collaborations between the programs and their surrounding community!

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Something I would like to know is if the educators in Alysia C's program were interested in using the garden as an alternative coping method for those students it seems to be helping so much!

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Seeing all the different ways people from a variety of backgrounds come together to make an impact on the kids and community is amazing. It gives me the motivation to make more connections. Planning to check with local homeschooling groups - I'd like to check out a couple nearby to hopefully take part in next year, attend our community garden Earth Day event this coming Saturday and see how we can be involved, reach out to 4H clubs/extension office to see if there are any master gardeners who would like to partner with a homeschool coop or offer classes, etc., and just keep reaching out and making connections as we continue on our journey.

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I feel having a common goal with involvement with the group/community were present in many of the success stories. It was almost always a team effort. Another theme I saw was to provide food we eat and teach where our food comes from in a hands on approach.

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Asking to see the layout for the 25 beds.

What they do for crop rotation and how they maintain the beds soil over time.

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I feel communication and planning took place to make these stories successful.

I specifically liked Bonnie's strawberries example - as they used transplants to start their own bed at HWG, but also sent plants home with families to be able to grow their own strawberries. It would be fun to know how many families plants come back this season and what the impact was on them and how the garden bed of strawberries is doing.

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Programs that work in collaborations with others interest me, as it is great to have partnerships, so I feel it will be important for me to continue to network with others involved in gardening/homeschooling that are close to our community. I hope that by building connections we can work together and share our bounty and lessons with one another.

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I think the main thing that I saw that led to success was how everyone worked together. From the students to teachers to directors to community members, everyone pitches in to help lead to successes in the garden.

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I really enjoyed hearing about the homeschool group who got together to dissect seeds. What a great way to gather and learn about gardening especially as I think of being in a rural area and it being a challenge to gather and have a community garden based on the spread out location of everyone.

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It amazes me what people can make happen just by reaching out and proposing ideas of what will really benefit the children. I liked hearing about people donating things to the children and the direct learning that happened from the connection with community (strawberries).

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Honestly, it was refreshing to see how passionate everyone was about their success stories. I can easily see how with that excitement, the children also love what is going on (and likely vice versa I am sure seeing the children get excited motivates each teacher to do more).

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I am wondering what other hour long garden based activities you were able to bring into the local library. Or even things you may try. I feel like I would really be able to run with this idea. Thank you so much for already sharing details on the one success story!

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This one connected the closest to what I am hoping to do in the future. I like the idea of bringing it to them at times because I haven't come up with a way to bring the homeschool kids consistently into a garden together to make it all flow. It might be fun to send something home one time and have them separately working on a common project so they can collaborate further. We will see what I can facilitate! So fun to hear new ideas.

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I would say designated garden roles or chores. We always want to make sure all the kids are involved by giving them a "job." No matter how big of a group, we try to make it to where the kids feel important and responsible for their garden.

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My question would be for Michele and how she got 140 teachers to attend. That's one of our biggest struggles is getting teachers involved in the gardens and we're lucky if two per school are active. We have some awesome teachers who incorporate the outdoor classroom, but others don't seem to care.

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Hands-on learning! We always try our best to get the kids involved and not just sitting listening to us talk. We want them involved in the garden and hands in the dirt!

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We try to do short lessons inside before going out into the garden. We have to go over garden rules and behaviors, so they don't think it's recess and play time. Giving students a short overview of what they will be doing before going outside has been more successful and having them more attentive.

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Everyone had great success stories and gave me ideas for different things that we could implement such as the hydroponic towers and canning!

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I think it is fantastic that Lindsay is able to work with the farm and school for education. That hands on learning will last a life time

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I post I watched mentioned that it was there first time doing a garden. They were happy to be able to find a master gardener.

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I enjoy and learn best by hearing what others are doing so it was very helpful for me to hear what has worked for others. Composting is something we are just beginning so it was encouraging to hear about that as well. I enjoyed hearing about the hydroponic towers as well because our climate is colder in the winter, so this is an area that could provide for year round gardening.

~Elizabeth B.

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For me personally the theme of most of the videos if not all of them was to try even though it may not work out. There were so many examples provided of grants that were received, or new things, such as hydroponics, that were explored. Often times I feel like it's easy to feel discouraged before even beginning because "what if it doesn't work?" What if I don't get the grant? Or what if I fail and kill every plant in the hydroponics we just invested in. Success comes from trying knowing failure may be the result. It doesn't mean it isn't scary, you just "do it scared".

~Elizabeth B.

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Some common themes I saw emerging are raised beds, following the students lead, getting to know your students and their needs (like the boy who waited for the bees to calm him each week). Ultimately this is about continuing to move forward even if it's all very new to most children.

~Elizabeth B.

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The question I find myself continuing to land on is how to find grants or partnerships. Often times they are very competitive in our area or have very specific criteria. Is there a lot of followup work for the grants? Funding is often a large barrier so I'm curious about those aspects. Or if a grant worked if they are able to receive more than 1 time funding.

~Elizabeth B.

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For me I found the stories of what vegetables were grown and then how they were used most helpul. We have had a fairly bad drought that has taken our garden the last few years so we're going to be trying more draught tolerant items this summer.

We are a smaller setting that is transitioning to very parent involved, so it was helpful to hear how others have done that.

~Elizabeth B.