Slow Food First Coast School Garden Overview
Posted: December 12, 2011
Slow Food First Coast (SFFC) has helped establish 20 school and community gardens in St. Johns and Duval Counties, including those at 18 elementary schools, one rural community center, and one homeless shelter. The purpose of these gardens is to educate children and the community at large on the health, social, and environmental benefits of making good food choices. Recipients of a SFFC School Garden Grant are selected through a rigorous application process and chosen by a panel based on their goals, implementation plans, and overall quality and impact.
Those selected for a SFFC School Garden grant receive:
- an easy to assemble and transport (no tools required) 4’ X 8’ container garden raised bed made of recycled plastic
- funds for organic soil, heritage seeds and plant starters
- a school garden guidebook
- lesson plans correlated to Sunshine State Standards, and
- mentoring with Master Gardeners and other teachers who have successfully implemented school gardens in the past
In return, recipients must:
- Plant an organic garden
- The garden must include food (herbs, vegetables, etc.)
- Have administrative support
- Include plans on integrating the garden into the curriculum
- Use vegetables grown in the garden for a taste experience for students
- Continue the garden project beyond the current year
- Provide feedback and some sort of portfolio (website, photos, journal entries, etc) at school year’s end
- Allow SFFC board members the opportunity to visit the garden and collaborate with them.
Testimonies from Previous Winners:
“Kindergarten is a time for new experiences, and Osceola is excited to plant some new seeds in our new kindergarteners’ minds with gardening. I can’t think of a better hands-on approach to learning than getting dirty and watching life bloom. We hope that a passion for gardening will also begin to bloom.” –Dana Harrison, Osceola ES
“I think this is an amazing opportunity for the students in my class! In the city, most children do not have the opportunity to grow food, flowers... anything. This garden plot will give my students an opportunity for hands-on activities. They will be able to research how plants are grown, dig their own garden and eventually eat the food they grew with their own hands.”—Diane Lloyd, Crookshank ES
“A school garden will give students an opportunity for open-ended exploration while learning about growing food and caring for the environment. Gardening will create opportunities for them to enjoy fresh vegetables, classroom cooking, and harvest celebrations.”—Rob Hall, Webster ES
“Children learn best by doing. I am excited to be able to give them the opportunity to learn math and science through planting a garden. They will never forget what they learn from this activity.”—Joan Deloney, Julington Creek ES
“It will give my students hands-on learning experiences in every subject area and also expose them to gardening and the pleasure of eating something you have grown yourself.”—Kristen Meek, Otis Mason ES
“I'm hoping to show my students how easy it is to create a wonderful environment in a small space that allows one to reap rewards that can be used in all sorts of ways. Our goal is to grow enough vegetables and herbs to create a yummy vegetarian soup and salad. I look forward to having our garden partners come work with me and my students to create and learn about gardening in containers.”—Elizabeth Marsh, Ketterlinus ES
“We are so excited to be taking this step in educating our students in environmental stewardship. The garden will be a place to explore the important concepts of local sustainability, nutrition, and the personal pleasures associated with growing your own produce.”—Karin Campbell, Durbin Creek ES
“This program will push students to try new things and encourage them to garden at home with their families. If students buy into eating healthy, we believe they have a better chance of being successful in this world.”—Mike Mitchell, Communities in Schools OUR Center
List of Winners
WINNERS Spring 2010
Joan Deloney, Julington Creek deloneyj@stjohns.k12.fl.us (Chipotle partner)
Kristen Meek, Otis Mason meekk@stjohns.k12.fl.us
Mike Mitchell, Communities in Schools OUR Center, Hastings ourhastings@yahoo.com
WINNERS FALL 2010
Rob Hall, Webster
Dana Harrison/Janice Forson, Osceola
Diane Lloyd, Crookshank
Additional Sponsorship Winners, 2011
Elizabeth Marsh, Ketterlinus (Flagler College)
Karin Campbell, Durbin Creek (Chipotle)
St. Francis House Community Garden
WINNERS SPRING 2011
Jaqcui Konecny, Dawn Mariotti, and Patty Keene, South Woods
Lee Samuels, Leah Cygan, and Carla Froehlich, Liberty Pines
Sarah Goselin and Lynne Kruse, Hickory Creek
WINNERS FALL 2011
Penny Kennedy, Ocean Palms ES
Doreen Halvorsen, PV/PV ES
Nancy Hatton, Montessori Tides
Steve Mendenhall, Biltmore ES
Angelete Deason, Tolbert ES
Susan Burns, RV Daniels ES
Stephanie Guy and Caitlyn Thompson, RB Hunt ES
Kathleen Damiano, Timberlin Creek ES