Congratulations to our 2019-2020 School Garden Grant Recipients
In late February, $10,000 was distributed to 8 different garden-based ag education projects throughout the county, supporting 2540 students and 128 teachers. Then the Coronavirus pandemic hit, and many gardens were closed along with their school campuses. We have faith that these programs will be able to revive when school resumes, and that our support will help! In addition to these funds, we send everyone a message of hope and unity in difficult times. May your gardens be a place of solace and healthy activity.
- Darnall Charter School will create a new garden so that its Earth Saver’s Club can learn about sustainability and the environment. They’ll be planting trees and crops that grow well in San Diego County.
- Hawthorne Elementary will be adding a greenhouse to their existing garden. Students will examine how an agricultural business works by looking at plant selection, maintaining adequate growth, creating a market to sell the finished product, transportation costs and finally selling their greenhouse grown crops.
- Lafayette Elementary School serves SDUSD students who are deaf or hard of hearing. They will purchase fruit trees, a compost bin, and a storage shed to strengthen their program. Students go out weekly for kitchen and garden lessons.
- Longfellow K-8 Spanish Immersion Magnet School needs to rebuild their school garden after a school modernization project. They will prepare and plant 7 raised beds on wheels, with funding going toward plants and tools.
- Palomar High School will create a garden to table project to enhance their Culinary Arts Program. They will construct planter boxes to grow herbs and vegetables that can be used in their culinary creations. The garden creates a therapeutic outlet as well as an opportunity to see how fresh food impacts taste and quality of dishes.
- Riley School is a K-8 special education school focused on building the social, emotional, and academic skills of students. SDAITC funding will help upgrade the irrigation system in a newly revived therapeutic garden. Students will also learn the importance of water conservation, plant selection, companion planting, and beneficial insects.
- Silver Gate Elementary – All students in this TK-4th public school receive 30 minutes of garden instruction each week, provided by parent volunteers. Existing garden beds that have served them for many years will be rebuilt with their garden grant funds. Students will experience the bounty of San Diego through seasonal plantings and locally grown tastings.
- San Pasqual Union School will be able to upgrade their irrigation system and purchase a water storage tank and pump to maintain their 24 raised beds, greenhouse, and outdoor classroom. They’ll be all set for their annual Harvest Day celebration, which focuses on healthy eating and sustainable farming through garden and art activities.