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From the previous videos that I have watched and listened to, we all have some difficulty of convincing the higher ups that the benefits of the garden will be worth the time and effort going into them.

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I also noticed that time/effort and knowledge were common themes. Everything from "I don't know anything!" to "I don't have the time!" I've realized that if I want this to work, I have to make the time.

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If this is something you are passionate about (it mostly likely is because you are HERE) then fight for what you believe in. You may need to do it quietly, like I am planning, but will need to come through with proof that there is something positive happening and that it is linked to what you are teaching. Have the students show what they have learned and let their excitement speak for you.

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How did the challenges that you overcame effect you? Did you struggle and have moments of doubt? How did you continue to be motivated when it may have only been you who was working so hard towards your goal?

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Green Our Planet and their coordinators and the farmer who comes to my school has been my resource. I plan to share my plans with them this year so that I can get the help and the support that I need to make my class the guinea pigs for the future garden vision that I have.

https://greenourplanet.org/virtual-academy/

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Students of all ages can learn from the Green Our Planet's experts with video lessons on STEM, nutrition, gardening, hydroponics and more. Learn how to grow fresh veggies at home with our farmers; discover the science of growing plants in water with our hydroponics experts and cook up a healthy storm with our chefs!

With new videos each week, there's always more to learn at the Green Our Planet Virtual Academy!

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Discover. Learn. Explore. Students of all ages can learn from the Green Our Planet's experts with video lessons on STEM, nutrition, gardening, hydroponics and more. Learn how to grow fresh veggies at home with our farmers; discover the science of growing plants in water

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My head was nodding the whole time I listened to Rachel's challenge.  The gardens require a lot of consistent, hard work.  It is a sort of labor of love and I realize I took this on but somedays it feels overwhelming.  As mentioned, this course brings up all the networking possibilities out there that theoretically would be helpful and lighten the load.  As great as that is, taking on the added task of outreach and coordinating seems daunting.  

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My head was nodding the whole time I listened to Rachel's challenge.  The gardens require a lot of consistent, hard work.  It is a sort of labor of love and I realize I took this on but somedays it feels overwhelming.  As mentioned, this course brings up all the networking possibilities out there that theoretically would be helpful and lighten the load.  As great as that is, taking on the added task of outreach and coordinating seems daunting.  

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A common theme that I can relate to is that even if everyone involved agrees that a school garden is an amazing opportunity for learning, there is far less people willing to help with the dirty work when the time comes.

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A common theme that I can relate to is that even if everyone involved agrees that a school garden is an amazing opportunity for learning, there is far less people willing to help with the dirty work when the time comes.

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One theme that I noticed was that, even though we are all going through challenges in the garden, there was always a message of hope... I think that gardening itself is an act of hope. When we add in the unpredictability of Covid, maintenance issues, lack of space, etc. we can either give up, or just keep trying!

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I too was nodding my head while listening to Rachel's post. Honestly, I had a moment in the garden this summer where I was in tears because I felt so alone. Doing everything yourself can be overwhelming, even if you LOVE what you are doing. Finding consistent help is so vital to a garden program!

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There are some local organizations that we have used to get volunteers, including reaching out to alumni, high schools, etc. Another one we have not used yet, but looks promising is Volunteer Match.

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Give thanks for a special person in your life!

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VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins

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Search Volunteer Opportunities. VolunteerMatch is the #1 volunteer-engagement network. Find volunteer information and listings in your local community now!

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I was curious if any of the schools provide direct funding to help solve some of these challenges? For example, I know that Franz had mentioned the PTA might help when it comes to fencing in their space (so sorry to hear about the vandalism!) but I'm wondering if the schools are also offering any financial help from their budgets to help?

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I noticed that many people struggle with garnering support from fellow staff and admin. I also noticed that some struggle with physical issues: drought, location, and vandalism.

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Yes, I have experienced all of these challenges. While my admin has always been supportive, fellow staff participation is not where I would like it to be. I am very excited as one kindergarten teacher and I are teaming up to use the garden as much as possible for the kindergarten curriculum. To control vandalism, I think I will need to fence the garden and add a gate with a lock.

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Yes. Persist flexibly. Laurie's efforts really impressed me. She has seen many administrators come and go. In reaction, she has gained autonomy for the garden[program and enlisted the support of, I think, her superintendent. Wow. In my own case, I need to enlist the labor of PTA members and other volunteers to build a shed, rebuild our beds, and plan for a tall fence to surround the garden as well as a gate and a lock. Much to do.

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What can you control? What is beyond your control? What is mission critical? What is the appropriate scale for your work so that it is manageable? Sometimes a small, well-managed raised bed is far better than a crazy weed patch.

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Core gardening to reduce water requirements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTnBlkG7h98

Square Foot Gardening to Create Manageable, Dense, and High Yield Spaces

https://squarefootgardening.org/

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How to Set Up Core Garden Bed - Core Gardening Method

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Expectation is key to so many things in life. If we expect that we will run into challenges (being overwhelmed, running into permission snags, etc.) we can adjust our mindset to deal with these setbacks. Keep at it, remain flexible, and look for help wherever you can get it!

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Many similar challenges - resources - time, location to garden, people. great to see how some of these are overcome

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Many similar challenges - resources - time, location to garden, people. great to see how some of these are overcome

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Having a small group of children do most of the work and getting overwhelmed with the tasks because you are in an unpaid unappreciated position!                         --or having competing needs and priorities ..meeting ratio in a preschool versus watering plants is frustrating because this can change from one day to the next      

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Having a small group of children do most of the work and getting overwhelmed with the tasks because you are in an unpaid unappreciated position!                         --or having competing needs and priorities ..meeting ratio in a preschool versus watering plants is frustrating because this can change from one day to the next      

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Remaining flexible and being openminded about who and where to enlist support from

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Remaining flexible and being openminded about who and where to enlist support from

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That's a valuable point...to be able to modify/scale back on  your original plan in order to achieve something well-managed.

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That's a valuable point...to be able to modify/scale back on  your original plan in order to achieve something well-managed.

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We have a garden group that spearheaded the rennovation and raises funds by having an annual plant sale and getting donations from Kiwanis, other organizations, nurseries, big box stores, soil / woodchip businesses, etc.

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Here are some organizations that I have connected the school with....the goal is to have a sustainable garden for the future:
Garden clubs, Kiwanis, women's clubs, native plant society, WSU master gardeners, WSU extension SNAP-Ed, Health department, Fruit tree society, conservation district,....

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A school garden has so many benefits for children and well worth the time to get it up nd running. 

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A school garden has so many benefits for children and well worth the time to get it up nd running. 

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I agree with many who suggest persisting and encouraging schools to allow the use of a school garden and integrate exposure to it into the school day.

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I agree with many who suggest persisting and encouraging schools to allow the use of a school garden and integrate exposure to it into the school day.

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Volunteers, time, but it is worth it.

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1. Getting started- finding space, organizing staffing, getting buy in from teachers/administrators/students
2. Starting and maintaining a garden requires a big time commitment.
3. The benefits if gardening programs for kids and adults is well worth the effort despite all the challenges.

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My situation is a bit different since I’m hoping to promote garden education weekly as part of the summer library program. What is similar is the desire and time commitment required to make it work, the need to get other community members involved and the creative thinking required to overcome challenges unique to my situation.

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My advice is never give up, connect with others locally or on-line to find solutions, be persistent but flexible, think outside the box, seek help from others to avoid burnout and celebrate all successes.

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I’m curious if the folks encountering vandalism issues could consider setting up electric fences around the gardens or using wildlife/Security cameras to catch the vandals in action so they can be held accountable for their actions.

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In Alaska there is the University Coop Extension Service. I would also suggest local service/volunteer organizations/garden clubs, senior centers, and businesses such as commercial greenhouses or hardware stores.

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Getting the buy in from everyone and have the support to maintain the garden.

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Getting the buy in from everyone and have the support to maintain the garden.

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It is hard when you are the only one that wants to put in the effort.  I have been working to get more staff involved and I was able to get a couple people in to help out.

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It is hard when you are the only one that wants to put in the effort.  I have been working to get more staff involved and I was able to get a couple people in to help out.

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I think just continuing to support the garden in the classroom. Learning from other I know for me taking this class and looking at the resources out there I don't feel so alone.

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I think just continuing to support the garden in the classroom. Learning from other I know for me taking this class and looking at the resources out there I don't feel so alone.

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Garden work never ends. There's always more to do and learn, and doing and learning takes time.

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For the co-op preschool class that does not own the space, have you tried any hydroponics? I haven't used them much myself, so I don't know if they would be smaller and easier to move around.

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The time component is a common obstacle. Many programs also struggle with getting others interested. There is a small handful of people doing a majority of the garden efforts/activities.

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I enjoyed hearing about how the group is excited about this effort. Despite challenges, many know the importance of this work.