# data[].attributes.body
I noticed that something common that other people were experiencing were issues related to funding and resources. Building gardens and maintaining them really is not a cheap thing to do, especially in times like the last few years when the price of wood has risen. I know in Detroit we struggle to wring every last penny of funding that we can out of the budget to build more beds in schools. This year we had a really successful year in that we were able to make 18 new beds in schools, which puts us at about a quarter of our 106 schools, which may not seem like a lot but with consistent progress we may be able to make our goal of having garden beds in all of our schools within the next five years. But that shows that building garden beds in schools is neither cheap no easy, it takes a lot of money, effort, time, and commitment to making it happen, which not all districts and schools are able to easily gain access to.

# data[].attributes.body
A friend of mine used to have his students start plants in their hoop house and sell them to the public to fund for the next school year. He also had them collect used hanging baskets and had the learners sanitize them and replant them with flowers started in the hoop house. They also sold these at attractive prices and usually sold out within a day or two once they were put up for sale.

# data[].attributes.body
Contact your local "Master Gardeners" program to get volunteers and even mentors for your young gardeners.

# data[].attributes.body
As Eyrn already noted, there's a recurring theme of lack of funding / knowledge about where to find funding.

For those in the first years of establishing a school garden, it also seems like getting the local administration on board has been a major hurdle. Sometimes one administrator excited and invested in the plan isn't enough, as was the case for Danielle M, where the garden area was completely tilled and sprayed with round-up.

# data[].attributes.body
I echo the previous two - funding seems to be an issue. I've been able to tap into food security funding in Alaska and that has been a lifesaver! Also there seems to be quite a bit of federal grant funding out there in the age of COVID (unless that's just Alaska, I'm not sure!)

Also - involvement! It's hard to get people to spend their time on your passions.

Least relatable was Nancy's challenges being that their space gets too hot... That is not a challenge for me in northwest Alaska, lol.

# data[].attributes.body
Yes! I can totally relate to the challenge of getting a core group of volunteers who are willing to be consistent and proactive.

# data[].attributes.body
Find someone who loves to write grants and convince them to help you out. I actually managed to do this and it's incredible.

# data[].attributes.body
I can totally second the problem with not getting admin on board.  If they don't, then the movement won't trickle down to the teachers and classrooms very easily.

Shannon P.

# data[].attributes.body
That has been a huge obstacle with getting gardens going in our county. We have these wonderful teachers/staff who are invested in the garden projects but the higher ups just don't see the value.

# data[].attributes.headline
I would reach out to the Garden Club and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Church groups always like to help.

# data[].attributes.subject
I would reach out to the Garden Club and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Church groups always like to help.

# data[].attributes.headline
I agree that the major issues are funding and volunteers.  That takes time and a lot of work on the organizers part to get enough help.  Stick with it because Garden based classrooms are really important for childrens learning.

# data[].attributes.subject
I agree that the major issues are funding and volunteers.  That takes time and a lot of work on the organizers part to get enough help.  Stick with it because Garden based classrooms are really important for childrens learning.

# data[].attributes.body
Getting enough help caring for the garden.  During the first season of covid. We did not have a hard time getting help, as many people had more free time and were delighted to have an out of doors activity. As people went back to busier lives, there were fewer volunteers and for shorter periods of time.
This year we are looking at other organizations that have intern programs needing places to work.

# data[].attributes.body
During the first season of COVID we noticed that we had quite a few people willing to come and get out in the fresh air and help out with the gardens. As people went back to work. there were fewer people who had the time to spend and those that could, often found they could spare less time.

# data[].attributes.body
This year we are considering partnering with other organizations that had intern programs.

# data[].attributes.body
I concur with the others, involvement and funding! It really does cost a lot of money and time to maintain a garden!

# data[].attributes.body
We are a small school with a small garden so we have experienced funding and volunteer/help challenges on a small scale, yes, absolutely!

# data[].attributes.body
I'm the kind of person that has a hard time asking for things, but I have found that a lot of the challenges I face have been solved by doing just that as much as possible.

# data[].attributes.body
The ECE providers I support also struggle with funding issues and staff enthusiasm. I have some funding that I can distribute, but not enough to share with all the providers in our agency who are eligible.

# data[].attributes.body
I have been pleasantly surprised by local businesses who have been willing to offer discounts and/or make donations of gardening materials/equipment to ECE providers in our state. So I would suggest that folks not be reluctant to reach out to others in the community to see if there might be partners of one sort or another just waiting in the wings!

# data[].attributes.body
Yes I have experienced similar challenges, and I believe they can be overcome with creative thinking, planning, taking classes like this one, research, and working with others using examples, data, and input from colleagues, the community, and the children to build a winning proposal - gaining financial and volunteer support.

# data[].attributes.body
We got some seeds donated from Seed Savers Exchange in Iowa. I know it might not seem like much, but for us every little bit helps! They have a seed donation program through which they donate seeds every season as they prepare for planting. Definitely worth checking out.

# data[].attributes.body
The common themes I have observed: volunteers and funding

# data[].attributes.body
Persevere - talk with people with whom you get energized on the topic; read things that get you jazzed about the topic; and practice the very thing you want to do with kids if possible!

# data[].attributes.body
Does perseverance work?
What have you noticed gets the attention of administrators? Of volunteers? What excites them about your project?

# data[].attributes.body
PS: Draft a clean, well researched budget and a fundraising plan

# data[].attributes.body
This course is certainly one of the best resources to help us!

# data[].attributes.headline
Volunteers, funding, Administrative support, teachers wanting to use the garden, sustainability, etc

# data[].attributes.subject
Volunteers, funding, Administrative support, teachers wanting to use the garden, sustainability, etc

# data[].attributes.headline
have experienced them all, at one time or another.  I've been the volunteer garden coordinator for 12 years and I am the longest engaged person including, teachers, janitorial staff and Administrators.  Most come in all excited, but are unable to keep it going.  I think many want the fun of it, but didn't realize the "work" involved

# data[].attributes.subject
have experienced them all, at one time or another.  I've been the volunteer garden coordinator for 12 years and I am the longest engaged person including, teachers, janitorial staff and Administrators.  Most come in all excited, but are unable to keep it going.  I think many want the fun of it, but didn't realize the "work" involved

# data[].attributes.body
Many of us have similar challenges finding funding to create and maintain school garden classrooms. It also appears that successful programs are often the result of a few dedicated people who put a lot of time into creating their school garden program. Without the support of admin, parents, staff, and community volunteers, it's difficult to keep any garden program sustainable.

# data[].attributes.body
Why, yes! I’ve been creating and maintaining the school garden for over ten years and have experienced many similar challenges.  The time investment required to make the program successful continues to be the greatest challenge. Volunteers are in short supply and difficult to retain – it’s a lot of work (but fun work)

# data[].attributes.body
A nonprofit organization provides small grants for our school garden programs but it's not enough to cover larger projects such as building planters, etc.  A successful fund raiser was acquiring free pumpkins from a local farmer and selling them at the school a few weeks before Halloween (contact them in the spring). I've also had Eagle Scouts and the Rotary Club complete a few wonderful garden projects, and I've written a few grant requests.  There are funds out there, you just have to be creative.

# data[].attributes.body
Some students need to fulfill a community service requirement - offer community service hours.

# data[].attributes.headline
We have similar problems with our garden. Varied response from teachers and community members. Families/kids are so structured these days with sports, clubs that many don't have to time to maintain their own garden.

# data[].attributes.subject
We have similar problems with our garden. Varied response from teachers and community members. Families/kids are so structured these days with sports, clubs that many don't have to time to maintain their own garden.

# data[].attributes.headline
I found a few very loyal neighborhood gardeners who help maintain the summer months. Also, this year I advocated for a garden budget through the PTO, so now we have a small line item for gardening supplies

# data[].attributes.subject
I found a few very loyal neighborhood gardeners who help maintain the summer months. Also, this year I advocated for a garden budget through the PTO, so now we have a small line item for gardening supplies

# data[].attributes.body
Funding and people power

# data[].attributes.body
Yes, we have challenges with getting volunteer involvement. One of our summer tasks is to come up with a reliable task force of volunteers.

# data[].attributes.body
We have had success with college student service learners for some of our nutrition education lessons. We get their service time for a semester but once the semester is over, they are hard to retain. It is hard to get service learners for the summer garden work since college students are on summer break.

# data[].attributes.body
College interns/service learners and master gardeners have worked for us.

# data[].attributes.body
I was a little surprised just how common difficulties in finding funding. And I was even more surprised about the lack off support from parents and school personnel. I guess the development of a marketing resource that could be shown to potential school personnel and community potential funding partners would be essential to introducing a school garden!

# data[].attributes.body
I guess my own attitude is that there has to be a good sales pitch to all who might become involved in a school garden for its health and longevity as a going concern.

# data[].attributes.headline
Be subtle, be unofficial, until they're hooked

# data[].attributes.subject
Be subtle, be unofficial, until they're hooked

# data[].attributes.body
It all starts with relationship building with anyone you might potentially expect to contribute whether dollars or time. It doesn't hurt to start well ahead of the potential start date on unofficial turf.

# data[].attributes.body
Have you noticed how many of the videos we have been viewing could be used to "put some fire in the bellies" of those we hope to enlist as participants in out school gardens?

# data[].attributes.body
Do some general googling for grants. Kidsgardening.org is particularly good.

# data[].attributes.body
Wow- it was reassuring to hear of the common themes so many of us are all experiencing! Top areas included needing resources- funding, supplies, time, volunteers, support- overall resources to allow a garden and garden program to be sustainable over time.  I  am so grateful for this course, our book, community, resources that have been shared, and more that will equip us to take our programs to the next level!

Jill N.
Texas

# data[].attributes.body
It seems that almost everyone I watched had a problem of either finding or retaining volunteers to help do the work required at the garden.  This is also my biggest fear in starting a program, that is why I hope to engage the community in the planning process, so they feel some ownership and will want to commit to caring for the garden together long term.  But I definitely worry about this too.

Second was funding. Who will pay for the ongoing upkeep and process is something that may always be a challenge. I'm hoping to find some sort of ongoing multi year support to give a little more time for continuing to meet this challenge.

# data[].attributes.body
I haven't started a program yet, so no.

# data[].attributes.body
To: Shirley N. - What types of communication practices do you use in your working groups?

To: Danielle M.- What protections would you recommend for people to put in place to avoid a situation like the incredibly sad destruction of your garden?

To: Laur G.- What might be preventing the "gatekeeper" from buying into the garden's value?

# data[].attributes.body
I would highly recommend Council as a communication tool for accessing interest, planning and learning what stakeholders want or need to feel welcome and excited about volunteering.
https://www.centerforcouncil.org

I recommend seeking funding from your local Audubon, Sierra, Rotary Club.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
​Center for Council delivers programs and trainings that promote communication, enhance well-being, build community, and foster compassion. Our work supports a sustainable shift toward a more cooperative, creative, and engaged culture, transforming relationships, strengthening teamwork, fostering a sense of inclusion, and supporting health and wellbeing.

Our methodology has proven to transform environments of anger, aggression and hostility, enabling individuals to connect with others in new and meaningful ways, creating a safe and supportive space for self-expression without fear of judgment, and supporting the development of effective communication skills, cooperation and resilience.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
​Center for Council delivers programs and trainings that promote communication, enhance well-being, build community, and foster compassion. Our work supports a sustainable shift toward a more cooperative, creative, and engaged culture, transforming relationships, strengthening teamwork, fostering a sense of inclusion, and supporting health and wellbeing.

# data[].attributes.body
Retention of volunteers. I think this can extend beyond core staff, as well.

# data[].attributes.body
Volunteers are always a challenge. They want to be engaged but we also need them to do the more tedious work like weeding and maintenance so that the kids can do the fun stuff.

# data[].attributes.body
We have a staff member who does teacher trainings for school gardens, which makes the teachers feel more able to work independently AND supported by us.

# data[].attributes.headline
I feel like I can always find funding, donations, or be creative. BUT it's the permission and influence of others who might not want to participate despite me not requiring them to participate, who make it difficult to start a new project/idea. I feel that parent and student support for new initiatives are huge way to overcome challenges. In addition, finding ways to do an idea/project on a small scale as proof to support a larger scale. 

# data[].attributes.subject
I feel like I can always find funding, donations, or be creative. BUT it's the permission and influence of others who might not want to participate despite me not requiring them to participate, who make it difficult to start a new project/idea. I feel that parent and student support for new initiatives are huge way to overcome challenges. In addition, finding ways to do an idea/project on a small scale as proof to support a larger scale. 

# data[].attributes.body
The most common challenges shared include funding, administrative support, committed team, garden maintenance. Getting the buy-in of teachers is also challenging especially given the work load in the curriculum. All these really resonated with me too.

# data[].attributes.body
Sure, i have experienced similar challenges! funding, getting volunteers, getting children to participate too.

# data[].attributes.body
In getting volunteers, i usually put out a call for volunteers via google forms and get it into my networks for people to help me share.
This year, my plan is to ask for specific roles when i do call for volunteers instead of a generic call. I think this will help to get the right persons into the right roles for our programme.
For funding, we charge some token amount which the parents pay, though it is usually not enough. We also ask for donations and support in kind.
i have also written a research proposal for funding and I am hoping it comes through.
A colleague suggested that i look around for organisations interested in what I am doing for partnerships.
These are some of the suggestions I have and that I am undertaking too.

# data[].attributes.body
Do a call for volunteers, send forms out indicate what roles you want filled an this could actually help identify some committed team members in the long run.

# data[].attributes.body
As one of my colleagues said in her video, there is a lot of interest and enthusiasm in the school garden, but we haven't found a way to harness that enthusiasm, get organized and get people actually DOING!

# data[].attributes.body
What is the best way to inspire the sustained involvement of staff and families in a school garden? We have a coordinator who simply assigns time slots to classes, which is efficient but doesn't foster a sense of collaboration or personal investment in being part of the school garden team. What are the best ways to organize and inspire!?