Garden ABCs
School Garden Resource Center
Sharing resources helps all our garden efforts!  Use links below to learn about partner organizations, grant opportunities, suppliers, workshops, experts and more.  Share your links!  See submission guidelines for details.
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Have a helpful resource or link to share?  Email us and we'll get it posted.



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Events: Save these Dates!
July
20-31    Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay Issue Investigation:  
            Hands-on Science in Action
               The Alice Ferguson Foundation, Hard Bargain Farm Environmental 
                Center, Accokeek, Md.


23-25   
2009 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium
            American Horticultural Society, Cleveland

August
6-9
         
30th Annual American Community Gardening Association 
              
Conference:  "Putting Down Roots"
              Franklin Park Conservancy, Columbus, Ohio

October
14-16     2009 Midwest Environmental Education Conference:
             Climbing the Green Wall The Environmental Education
                 Association of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.

22-24     2009 California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference 
             Rohnert Park, Calif.

24 
        Chicago Green Teacher Network Workshop I
                 Chicago Botanic Garden, 9 am - 4 pm


February 2010
4-7
          The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor
                Education 25th Anniversary Conference: Many Paths, One
                Destination: From Knowledge to Action
                Rocky Gap Lodge – Flintstone, Maryland

Research
American Community Gardening Assocation
    Reports on property values, crime reduction, pilot study, public policy, citizenship
Assessing a Garden-based Curriculum for Elementary Youth in Iowa: Parental Perceptions of Change
     Iowa State University Study
California School Garden Network
     Research and Policy Supporting Garden-based Learning
Effect of the National Wildlife Federation's Schoolyard Habitat Program on Fourth Grade Students' Standardized Test Scores
     Cornell University, Texas A&M University, Texas State University Study
Evaluation of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation Program Deakin University and University of Melbourne Joint Research Study
     Australia
Growing Environmental Stewards: The Overall Effect of a School Gardening Program
     2008 Texas A&M University Study
Growing Minds: The Effect of a School Gardening Program on the Science Achievement of Elementary Students
     2005 National Gardening Assn & Texas State University Study
Kidsgardening.org Grant Evaluation Summary
     Data on the impact of grants programs
Neighborhood Greenness and 2-Year Changes in Body Mass Index of Children and Youth
     University of Washington, Indiana and Purdue Universities
School Gardens Grow Science Achievement Scores
     National Science Teachers Assocation article


Media: Books, Blogs, Articles, Magazines, Websites, More 
Our Generous Garden
     Students plant and harvest a vegetable garden and change their community in
     the process.

GardenABCs E-Zine - Outdoor classroom news - subscribe today!


2009-2010 California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Resource Guide
     $5 for teachers outside California; free online
2008 Growing Good Kidssm Book Award Winners
Aggie Horticulture Just For Kids 
     Texas A&M University
Branch 
     The national newsletter of Project Learning Tree
Chicagoland Gardening
Children's Gardens: A Field Guide for Teachers, Parents & Volunteers
Common Ground Garden Program Websites of Interest Listing
     Calif. & national
Common Ground Expert Urban Gardener
     UC-Davis Coop. Ext.
Cornell Garden-Based Learning 
     Cornell University
Daily Herald Giving GardenTM 
     Suburban Chicago
Dave's Garden Gardening community website
Garden Learning Videos Life Lab Science Program
     Web-based videos on school garden how-to and garden-based nutrition
ILoveFreeThings.com 
     Free seeds, garden posters, CDs and more!
The Little Green People Show Sustainable living in the big city
Meeting Children's Nutrition & Health Needs through Gardening
Library of Congress: History of School Gardens Webcast and Transcript
     Constance Carter, Head of the Science Reference Section
School Garden Weekly
     Weekly Instructional Activities For Your California School Garden
WikiGardens
     Free garden encyclopedia featuring plant database, garden showcase, forum,
     journal, vendors and garden groups
World Food Garden
     The world's first map of small food gardens


Organizations 
Send us a link to your organization and we'll get it posted!
Agriculture in the Classroom
     National Resource Directory
Alice Ferguson Foundation
American Community Gardening Association
American Horticultural Society
Boston Schoolyard Initiative
California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
California School Garden Network
Center for Ecoliteracy 
     Education for Sustainable Living: Seminars, programs, grants
Chicago Botanic Garden
     Community Gardening Programs
     Center for Teaching and Learning Programs
Chicago Wilderness Leave No Child Inside Chicagoland
Children's Garden Network Rhode Island
City Blossoms Washington DC
CitySeed New Haven, Conn.
CitySprouts Cambridge, Mass.
Cornell University Garden-Based Learning 
Cultivating Community Portland, Maine
Using organic, sustainable practices to grow food in community and school gardens and at partnering farms for those who are most vulnerable.
D.C. Schoolyard Greening Washington, D.C.
Farm To School
GreenNetChicago.org
     Calendar & Newsletter
Green Teacher Network
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom
Illinois Farm Bureau
Illinois Urban Extension Just for Kids gardening activities
Junior Master Gardener
     Curricula, Literature, How-To
KidsGardening.org / National Gardening Association
Lake County Farm Bureau Grayslake, Ill.
Liberty Prairie Conservancy 
Grayslake, Ill.
Macomb County School Garden Initiative Michigan
Morton Arboretum Lisle, Ill.
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
     Outdoor Learning Environments Resource List
Project Learning Tree
     Award-winning environmental education program
Slow Food in the Schools - Slow Food USA
     Garden-to-Table projects providing meaningful, hands-on food experiences and
     education to K-12 students
San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance
Share Our Strength
A national organization working to ensure no child in America grows up hungry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Tampa Bay School Gardening Network
University of California Cooperative Extension Los Angeles County
     Common Ground Garden Program
Urban Sprouts San Francisco
Washington Youth Garden at U.S. National Arboretum Washington DC


Garden Help: Volunteer Networks 
Chicago Cares  Information, Community Partner Application

City Year Corps
Young leaders making a difference in the lives of children, and transforming schools and neighborhoods in 18 U.S. locations and Johannesburg, South Africa.



Experts 
These in-the-know individuals develop educational, hands-on programs to supplement year-long curriculum or special garden projects.

City Blossoms - Baltimore
Consulting, curriculum development and on-site weekly workshops
Farmer Cheryl's Food Power  
Where Food Knowledge Makes Brain Power
Lauren Elder Design 
Community parks and school garden design
The Organic Gardener
Design, installation, maintenance, teaching and harvesting of organic gardens     for backyards, rooftops, schools, restaurants, patios and decks.


Certifications
Michigan Recycling Coalition Recyling Cerfication Program
Register your school! MRC Certified Recyclers will stand apart from their peers as they demonstrate a commitment to make choices that conserve resources, reduce waste, recycle, and purchase green.



Training & Workshops
Square Foot Gardening Foundation Certified Speaker / Teacher Course
As you become certified, not only will you become more knowledgeable and able to create your own spectacular Square Foot Garden, but you will also have the opportunity to officially teach in your community and elsewhere.

Forestry Institute for Teachers
June and July 2009, California
Chicago Botanic Garden Garden Camp for Teachers I  
July 13-17, Glencoe, Ill.
Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay Issue Investigation:  Hands-on Science in Action
July 20-31, The Alice Ferguson Foundation, Hard Bargain Farm Environmental  Center, Accokeek, Md.  Flyer
Chicago Botanic Garden Earth Partnership for Schools Summer Insitute
July 27-31, Graduate level habitat restoration institute
Chicago Botanic Garden Camp for Teachers II
Aug 3-7, Glencoe, Ill.
Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) Student Club
Start after-school environmental service club for 8-12 grade CPS students
From Seed to Seed: Plant Science for K-8 Educators
National Gardening Association, At-home study
Green Teacher Network 2008-2009 Workshops 
Chicago's educational resource network for schools with gardens or “growing      windowsills” that use gardening activities to support curricular goals.





Educator Recognition
2009 Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award
National Environmental Education Foundation award to outstanding environmental educator
2009 Literacy for Life Teaching Awards for California educators

Sponsored by the Oreggia Family Foundation
Met Life Foundation Ambassadors in Education Award
Recognizes outstanding middle school and high school educators in the public school who are building partnerships and communicating beyond their schools for the betterment of the entire community.



 
Grants & Contests 
Does your organization provide funding for healthy eating or outdoor initiatives?  Know of a group that does? Let us know so we can post a link!

Grant Application Advice: Native Plant Gardens for Schools and Urban Areas
     Betsey Landis © 2009.  Landis shares how to avoid basic pitfalls of the grant
     application process, especially grants with very specialized requirements for
     funding.  Great advice for any garden project seeking funding.


2010 Youth Garden Grant - Due Nov 2
National Gardening Association and Home Depot
America the Beautiful Free Seeds 
Annie's Grants for Gardens - Open
Small grants that connect children directly to gardening
Barbara's Bakery and Organic Gardening: Organic Learning Garden Grant 
Bayer Advanced "Grow Together with Roses" School Garden Award 
Build A Bear Workshop Giving Program - April, July, October
Supporting children's health & wellness, education & literacy, animal causes and the environment
California Fertilizer Foundation School Garden Grant Program 
California School Garden Grant Program
Western Growers Association
Captain Planet Foundation
Center for Ecoliteracy
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFP)          
USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES)
Cornell University Celebrate Urban Birds Mini-Grants 
DoSomething.org Increase Your Green School Competition
Ecology/Environmental Science Teaching Awards
Entomological Society of America President's Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Primary and Secondary Education - Due Jul 1
Recognizing educators using insects as educational tools
Environmental Excellence Awards
EPA Environmental Education Grants
Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
Fiskars Project Orange Thumb
Gardenburger Community Garden Grants 
Gardener's Supply Garden Crusader Awards 
Winners (no age limit) in the areas of garden education, feeding the hungry, urban renewal and restoration receive cash and supplies.
Greencorps Chicago - City of Chicago
Green Spaces Alliance Community Garden Starter Grants 
South Texas
GreenNet Mini-Grants - Chicago's Greening Network
Goody's Good Deeds for Schools
Healthy Farm, Healthy Schools Grant 
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Healthy Sprouts Awards - Due Oct 17
Hewlett Packard Innovations in Education Grants 
Math and science innovations for middle schools and high schools
Hooked on Hydroponics - Due Sep 18
Illinois DNR Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program
Illinois Rain Water Garden Initiative Grants
ING Unsung Heros Awards 
Educator grant program
Inspired by Bulbs! Educational Grant - Due Jul 3
Intel Schools of Distinction Awards in Math and Science 
International Paper Foundation - Open
Environmental education for young children: outdoor classrooms, forestry, and air and water quality programs
Kroger Co. Foundation - Open
Feed-the-hungry programs in communities where Kroger employees live and work
Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program - Due Nov 15

Levitt Foundation 
Children and environment - New York City / Long Island
Live Monarch Foundation Educator Award Program
Lowe's Outdoor Classroom Grant Program 
Mantis Awards for Community & Youth Gardens - Due Mar 1
Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation
Midwest School Garden Grant
National Education Foundation Student Achievement Grants
National Garden Clubs Organic + Native Plant School Garden Partnership
Nature Hills NurseryGreen America Awards 
Nickelodeon's Big Green Grants - Open through Dec 31
Supporting environmentally-friendly projects that educate and inspire kids to take care of the environment; be active and live healthier; and/or engage in community service
North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer Rancher Grants
NC SARE Youth & Youth Educator Sustainable Agriculture Grants
Openlands' 2009 Building School Gardens Grants 
For Chicago Public Schools, Dowload Application
Oppenheimer Family Foundation Teacher Incentive Grant Chicago
Park Seed Get My Classroom Growing Essay Contest
Plant the Seeds of Learning Contest 
Annie's Homegrown & National Gardening Association
Play with Your Produce Healthy Challenge Teacher Contest 
PBS and Produce For Kids
Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! Grants 
Project Learning Tree Greenworks! MonarchLIVE Butterfly Garden Grants
PTO Today, Inc. Parent Group of the Year 2009 
The Quaker Go Project - Jul 31
Awards for community-based projects that combat hunger
Rodale Institute's Kidsregen.org® Organic School Garden Awards 
STEMester of Service Grants from Youth Service America - Jul 15
Helping middle school science teachers and service-learning coordinators strengthen their classroom practices through service-learning, a teaching method that combines meaningful service with curriculum or program-based learning. Emphasis on the environment.
Student Conservation Association Green Your School Grant - Oct 9
High school grant program
Taproot Foundation Service Grants for Non-Profits
Target Field Trip Grants
Teaching Tolerance - Open
Grants for programs to help reduce prejudice among youth, improve intergroup relations in schools and/or support educator professional development in these areas
Toyota Tapestry Grants for Science Teachers
UNA-USA National High School Essay Contest
UnitedHealth Heroes Service Learning Grants 
Youth-led community education projects in select states
United States Department of Agriculture Beginner Farmer & Rancher Development Program 
Cooperative State Research, Education and Education Service (CREES)
Volvo Adventure with the United Nations Environment Program
Washington Parks & People Community Harvest Mini-Grants 
Washington DC
Wisconsin Environmental Education Board Grant Program


Supplies and Suppliers
If you supply seed, plants, equipment, services or other support for garden initiatives, contact us to get your firm listed.  And, learn about becoming a sponsor.

Discounted Garden Supplies at Lowe's - Chicagoland
Yellow Tractor Program and Lowe’s have teamed up to provide discounted savings on garden supplies and equipment for schools and non-for-profits groups. This discount program is free and currently offered through the Northbrook Lowe’s store only (1000 Willow Road). They will honor any greater Chicagoland non-profit order (with accompanying forms).

Worm Suppliers in California
Help for your composting
Wisconsin Fast Plants 
University of Wisconsin: Bring science alive in your classroom!
Rain Barrels  
Chicago / Cook County  Ill.
One Seed Chicago  
Chicago's Greening Network invites all of us to Grow Together. Get seed packets      for home or classroom.


Career Opportunities


Seasonal Garden Assistant, Gary Comer Youth Center Rooftop Garden Chicago Contact Marji Hess

California Garden Educator Positions
     Various postions based in California
  

Announcements
Share Our Strength, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food Network Plant Edible "GOOD FOOD GARDEN" at Southeast Washington, DC School
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Unveils Garden; Shares Agency's Priorities on Improving Child Nutrition



Mayors' Alliance for Green Schools Announced


Suggest a Category
Email us your ideas and links!

 Story time at the Wee Gardeners Nature Workshop Series, Greensboro, N.C.

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