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I loved all of the stories, but a few unique ideas jumped out at me, specifically Elizabeth from Leopold Green Schoolyard Project's outdoor lounge/sanctuary for teachers ... so awesome!!!! Also, reminding students that it is their garden. Isabel from Hershey FoodCorps in Flint had a cute idea by asking students what foods they are friends with. I think we're all trying to encourage that relationship and its such a simple and relatable way to do it.

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Nina in Rhinelander Wisconsin is utilizing the specialties of classes within the school to refurbish their courtyard garden, and that's a great use of resources and way to share responsibilities. Having a daily, volunteer-led visit to the garden like Shannon at Godley MS is doing, is also an interesting way to gain the kind of continuity for necessary upkeep.

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I'd say some of the common themes center around how much kids love the responsibility of caring for a space, and how open they are to learning, doing and sampling. It's also common that kids LOVE any time spent in the garden and I find that to be true from my experience as well. You can tell how much everyone genuinely cares about what they are trying to accomplish, too.

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"Start small" by Emily B. is a program format that relates the most to how I've tried to build our garden. Just get it going and then add on as you go. It helps you garner interest as well as make informed decisions about what works and what you need next!

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I would like to ask Jean H. from Rhinelander Wisconsin if, being a science teacher, she plans to use the garden for other science lessons in her classes. Aside from plant structure, I'm always trying to figure out other ways to bring science into the garden.

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I feel that building a sense of community in several of the success story videos is very important.  Bringing different generations together allows for growth, making connections, providing real-world applications, and fostering increased awareness of all in the community and what they have to offer.

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Putting people in touch with where their food comes from and sharing the products of their labor displays an example of some common themes that I observed. Having the learners eat and prepare what they have grown and sharing or selling the excess illustrates wonderful ownership and responsibility to not only themselves but also the community.

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I agree with Danielle's observation of starting small. My colleague, Nina H., worked with our learners last school year to organize and clean up our courtyard area where we intend to build our garden. It already gave the learners a sense of ownership of the space which encourages them to move forward with the actual development of a vegetable garden. This also allows gardeners to get a feel for the space and make better gardening decisions when developing the space.

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What I found most inspiring is how the learners took ownership of their gardens and learned to collaborate with others.

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How do you handle garden care during summer vacation from school?

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Starting small and giving people/kids a sense of ownership and agency in the garden.

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I am fascinated by how many different people are involved in gardening as part of their jobs in so many different ways. It's really opened my eyes to how many different options there are for being involved in gardening as a career - whether at a community garden, backyard gardening, garden school, teacher... The opportunities are endless and in a lot of situations, you can invent your own opportunities to fit the needs of your community.

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Starting small and letting the garden itself "grow" organically so you don't get overwhelmed and burned out, or take on too much too quickly.

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For teachers that are at schools that already have garden classes/a school garden/garden lunch options: Where did you start implementing these programs? With the school board or the principal or just within one class room? Was it a bottom up or a top down project?

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Start small

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Start small

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I would ask about sources of funding for their fantastic programs

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A common theme i observed was how students really enjoy having responsibility in the garden. And how much they love spending time in the garden.

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allowing students to have a sense of ownership in the garden was a huge theme because everyone is invested in the success of the garden. 

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allowing students to have a sense of ownership in the garden was a huge theme because everyone is invested in the success of the garden. 

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I love seeing how many individuals are getting children out into the garden. Each teacher comes from different backgrounds but they are working to ensure that children are given the opportunity to connect with nature.

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Beginning with small, well thought out ideas and learning from the mistakes.

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It was great to hear about the various programs and successful activities. I would like to try the summer family hours, compost tea and starting a garden club!

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It was great to hear about the various programs and successful activities. I would like to try the summer family hours, compost tea and starting a garden club!

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Start small and adding more when the educators and students find success

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Start small and adding more when the educators and students find success

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I would like to know how to engage more teachers. 

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I would like to know how to engage more teachers. 

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I was especially interested in Keri H's solution for accessible garden structures.

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I was especially interested in Keri H's solution for accessible garden structures.

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I found it inspiring to hear so many teachers take the initiative to provide their students with a place-based learning experience--it's not easy. Their approaches were different, but all of them made the children excited about learning through observation and exploration of their world.

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Terri J. is having older students mentor younger students in the garden - what a wonderful way to build communtiy and a sense of ownership of the garden space.
Several garden programs are utilizing the school garden produce in their school lunch programs which is a fabulous way to encourage students to eat healthier and to strenghten the farm/garden to table connection.

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Kids love being in the garden and garden educators love the joy they see in their student's faces when they are in the garden! Learning seems to come naturally to students as they explore and make observations about what they see, hear, feel, smell, and touch. Further, the more time students are given to tend and explore their garden areas, the better environmental stewards they become.

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I'd like to learn more about how garden educators were able to persuade the school district's lunch program to utilize the school garden's produce. How did they overcome food handling safety concerns?

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Keri H. noticed that there were accessibility issues in their garden and took the time to design 3-tier planter beds that allowed students with differing abilities to engage and interact with the garden. So cool!

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The wonder that gardening inspires in children (in all of us) no matter the level of gardening skill. Not having expectations, letting things happen as they can, as they do, and observing intently - all this will bring joy and a sense of connection and this is most important.

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Benefits of setting goals, having a clear mission, that lead to:

Securing funding for infrastructure improvements (accessibility)

Building community, feeding the community, kids feeling ownership and connection to the community

Kids getting more fresh air and time outdoors

Finding creative ways to grow food during the school year in places that the growing season doesn't align with the academic calendar;

Older kids mentoring younger kids

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The joy, wonder, and excitement evident in children who have first hand experience in gardening no matter the level.

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I would like to hear ideas and plans for garden stewardship during school breaks and how the children can stay involved.

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Realizing that just a little time per day can yield good results

Not setting expectations too high

Nurture the joy, excitement, and wonder as much as possible

Unity days - allowing older kids who have been through the program mentor the younger kids coming up in the program

Community stewardship; sharing

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Honestly, the main theme that stood out to me as simply fantastic is just that garden education is learning made fun. Not only do children learn valuable skills and knowledge, but getting the chance to go outside and work in the ground is a lot of fun and its a form of learning that almost does not seem like learning. When kids think of schools and classrooms they don't exactly start jumping for joy, but when they are faced with nature's classroom they are ecstatic. This is just a clear example of why garden education and teaching nature's classroom is in a lot of ways a superior form of educating children.

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Most inspiring was the creativity and persistence demonstrated to make programs succeed.

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Given the chance and a little encouragement, kids love to garden!

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Would Keri Hawkins do a detailed video about her ADA-compliant designs?

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Getting ideas for working with challenged students - WOW!

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Having a longer growing season seemed to be helpful.

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The story I found most relevant was by Amy Ford as she addressed a problem we have here in WA State - which is a short growing season that doesn't coincide with the school year. She had students plant microgreens which students could supervise from planting to harvest. Great! Thank you!

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I loved what Kari did for middle school students with accessibility issues. She saw the problem, then did something about it - addressing each of the accessibility issues in her garden. Inspiring - and made me think about what we need to do to make our garden accessible. Thank you Kari!

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Kari at Holms Jr High, in Davis CA gave great specifics about changes that she needed to make to make her garden more accessible. For instance, some tables needed to be adjusted so they didn't spill water onto the students in wheelchairs; aisles needed to be wider; planting tables lowered. Loved the list she gave and how specific she was.

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One of the common themes I heard was working collaboratively with other groups, programs or schools to solve a problem - usually ending up making the program more available to more students.

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Seems that a lot of people have started small to get big!

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Seems that a lot of people have started small to get big!

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I work in a school that has a beautifully landscaped garden that is unfortunately very challenging to access by students with differing mobility.  Last fall a scholar who uses a power wheelchair got stuck in the mulch.  I found the ideas about path size, universally accessible activities and different heights of garden beds inspiring.  This is definitely a growth area for us!
Also, I really liked the "OUR Garden" (Leopold Community School, Madison) solution where all students and community members are welcomed into the garden, all the time!

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The level of creativity is what inspires me most. All the different ways garden leaders/facilitators create their spaces and engage staff and students to promote buy-in.

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Giving students the "okay" to garden themselves allows for the all important buy-in.  If teachers are running the show, then the student may feel like gardening is just another class and interest could easily wane.

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It seems all garden facilitators are focused on gardening in a way that's manageable while also ensuring students are running the show.

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I just really think it is wonderful that as we move forward with technology, there is a huge push to keep kids grounded and connected to the Earth.

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I just really think it is wonderful that as we move forward with technology, there is a huge push to keep kids grounded and connected to the Earth.

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Common themes are the drive to keep kids grounded and love the outdoors, learn to know where their food comes from and enjoy fresh things from the garden. 

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Common themes are the drive to keep kids grounded and love the outdoors, learn to know where their food comes from and enjoy fresh things from the garden. 

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I found it so inspiring that each educator comes from a different organization yet we are all working with the same goals of engaging with our youth  in the gardens and encouraging new tastes and experiences. At times I feel like so much more needs to be done to get more schools and people on board with garden education but hearing everyone's stories is a great reminder that there are so many amazing people doing amazing things! The ripple effect is happening and will continue to happen!

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I found it so inspiring that each educator comes from a different organization yet we are all working with the same goals of engaging with our youth  in the gardens and encouraging new tastes and experiences. At times I feel like so much more needs to be done to get more schools and people on board with garden education but hearing everyone's stories is a great reminder that there are so many amazing people doing amazing things! The ripple effect is happening and will continue to happen!

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Start small and grow the program from there. Include students in every aspect of the garden process and they will take ownership of it. Children who take part in the gardening process are more likely to taste and enjoy what they have grown. I love the 3 tier planter bed to allow all abilities to engage in the garden. 

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Start small and grow the program from there. Include students in every aspect of the garden process and they will take ownership of it. Children who take part in the gardening process are more likely to taste and enjoy what they have grown. I love the 3 tier planter bed to allow all abilities to engage in the garden. 

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Children enjoy every aspect of being in the garden and will take on responsibility. When they are part of the process, they are more inclined to eat and enjoy what they have grown. Gardening make education applicable. Students can take what they have learned in the classroom and put it into real life practice. 

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Children enjoy every aspect of being in the garden and will take on responsibility. When they are part of the process, they are more inclined to eat and enjoy what they have grown. Gardening make education applicable. Students can take what they have learned in the classroom and put it into real life practice. 

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Educators that are providing produce for lunch programs: what size gardens spaces do you have? How much produce do you need to yield to provide it for meal service? What was your process of getting school buy-in as well as food service directors?

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Educators that are providing produce for lunch programs: what size gardens spaces do you have? How much produce do you need to yield to provide it for meal service? What was your process of getting school buy-in as well as food service directors?

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I appreciate the enthusiasm with which so many people approach the work of inspiring others to get into gardens and nature in general. :)

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Kristin contacted a local group who helped to come up with ideas for weed control (planting trees/shrubs). I liked that she also had a local artist contribute artwork to highlight their gardening efforts.

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Several folks mentioned connections to community groups. It is wonderful to hear about how gardens support those connections.

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Start small and make connections with curriculum before making the program/garden bigger.

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What was most inspiring to me in the videos i watched was the fact that garden-based learning is being used to achieve different educational purposes. It is helping to extend learning beyond the conventional models. Marlene said the excitement of children wanting to take responsibility. that's really good. I also like the experience of food corp by Isabel. A great initiative indeed.

Isi E.

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Some examples that resonnated with are
1. Start simple as Jill shared in her post. Like isabel's method of going with the flow and letting the children take the lead is also a great strategy.

Isi E

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A common theme i observe is the passion with which each person puts into the gardening-based education activities. garden as a tool for achieving different aims from socializing to science, nutrition, environment, art etc...

Isi E

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Keeping it simple, starting small and growing gradually and the food corp model by Isabel of letting the children take the lead are some take home points for me.

Isi E.

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Keri H. shared the building of ADA complaint gardens and it was so awesome how they were able to make every person welcome in their garden.  To enter a space where you feel so cared for and considered, adds a beauty to the garden that doesn't exist in so many public spaces.  Knowing that you can enter a space and access all of the opportunities easily and participate in all of the activities is really cool.  I would love to see more pictures of this space and more spaces with this much care and consideration in the world.

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Keri H. shared the building of ADA complaint gardens and it was so awesome how they were able to make every person welcome in their garden.  To enter a space where you feel so cared for and considered, adds a beauty to the garden that doesn't exist in so many public spaces.  Knowing that you can enter a space and access all of the opportunities easily and participate in all of the activities is really cool.  I would love to see more pictures of this space and more spaces with this much care and consideration in the world.

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Lisa R, Elizabeth R and Isl mentioned how their programs connected recipes and food from farm, to school, to home.  This shows the power of connecting through food.  We all have this basic need in common and food has a way or bringing people together.  Teaching children to cook also fills a much needed gap in education that I have noticed in college age students I encounter, many don't know how to cook, so their diets are limited and often not filled with healthy choices.   To instill love of raw, plant based diets so young will serve the people and planet well.

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Lisa R, Elizabeth R and Isl mentioned how their programs connected recipes and food from farm, to school, to home.  This shows the power of connecting through food.  We all have this basic need in common and food has a way or bringing people together.  Teaching children to cook also fills a much needed gap in education that I have noticed in college age students I encounter, many don't know how to cook, so their diets are limited and often not filled with healthy choices.   To instill love of raw, plant based diets so young will serve the people and planet well.

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Recipes have the power to connect

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Building a garden where everyone is truly welcome not just to observe but to participate fully. May all garden grow this way.

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Connections to science standards abound in the garden and it's a great way to pull in other teachers, classes and students.

Noticing what you need to build and calling on the community to use their math, science and building skills to create it gives everyone ownership of the garden and the food.

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I would ask Adele how the school has been impacted with the increase in access to calming spaces and outdoor experience?

I would ask Amy F. what other indoor gardening projects do you have planned for the future?

I would ask Nancy S. where do you have your compost on campus? Do you use bins or piles? How did you convince your school to allow them on campus?

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The schools near me are concrete jungles, they idea of many small beds sprinkled around the campuses may be an "easier sell" to the adminsitrations, especially if I can get teachers on board who have classrooms nearby to invite their students to be the day to day stewards of them.

Also thinking about seasonality. How can I create spaces that can endure long, hot drought conditions of California summer when they will get less care OR how can we connect the community to invite them in for summer care and growing.....

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I like Maria's mention that they brought parents in on some garden days. This helps the parents really understand what learning is happening and discuss it at home with their kids. She also mentioned it helped with equity and meeting peoples' needs.

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I would like to know how organizations have made their successful programs sustainable... meaning have they lasted for years? Can they make it through staff changes?

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I loved seeing the integration of gardening with subjects beyond science, like art!

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I thought it was really exciting to see all of the different measures of success. All of our gardens, students, volunteers and communities are different and that was reflected in the videos. We're generally a positive bunch which sys a lot about the value of gardening I think.  - Franke 

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I thought it was really exciting to see all of the different measures of success. All of our gardens, students, volunteers and communities are different and that was reflected in the videos. We're generally a positive bunch which sys a lot about the value of gardening I think.  - Franke 

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Starting small and growing bigger as knowledge expands. Letting the children's excitement indicate success instead of a preset metric. Franke

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Starting small and growing bigger as knowledge expands. Letting the children's excitement indicate success instead of a preset metric. Franke

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One of the things I noticed is that successes in the garden often come from unexpected sources sometimes, for example one of the educators talked about the knowledge they shared spreading through the community exponentially because one individual's family member got excited.  - Franke, Watson-Brown 

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One of the things I noticed is that successes in the garden often come from unexpected sources sometimes, for example one of the educators talked about the knowledge they shared spreading through the community exponentially because one individual's family member got excited.  - Franke, Watson-Brown 

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I'd love to learn more about the gardening programs in Alaska. I'm curious about their garden schedule and what native plants they incorporate. - Franke, Watson-Brown

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I'd love to learn more about the gardening programs in Alaska. I'm curious about their garden schedule and what native plants they incorporate. - Franke, Watson-Brown

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Remembering that my measure of success isn't necessarily a students or visitors measure of success. - Franke 

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Remembering that my measure of success isn't necessarily a students or visitors measure of success. - Franke 

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Something that struck me, generally, about the Flipgrid videos was how proud and excited each person was to share his/her success story. Often we think about the impact of gardening programs on the students but we should also remember they are beneficial for the teachers/leaders as well!

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Something that struck me, generally, about the Flipgrid videos was how proud and excited each person was to share his/her success story. Often we think about the impact of gardening programs on the students but we should also remember they are beneficial for the teachers/leaders as well!

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It's ok to have a long term vision, but tackle the garden in small steps and do it well.

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It's ok to have a long term vision, but tackle the garden in small steps and do it well.