Hi Mitch, Today I was out here in Hillsboro, Oregon at JB Thomas Middle School, where a school garden project is in its second year. The garden was initiated by Camp Fire USA and is now being collaborated on together with Oregon Food Bank's Westside Learning Garden. There are 4 raised beds to the east side of the main building. We have tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce in one bed, carrots and radishes in the second, potatoes, collards, and a cantaloupe in the third, and strawberries in the fourth. We worked with kids on the prepping and planting of the bed. I and another Americorps VISTA are tending the garden over the summer. We are also exploring ways to empower this community venture.
First off, it takes vision and a solid plan of action to create sustainable community and school gardens. What does this dream garden look, smell, and taste like? Who is involved in the garden planning and evaluation process? How do we go about sowing the seeds of a school garden with a future of purpose and possibility? These are the questions that we are asking. These are the challenges that we are facing. There are plenty of projects out there to glean information from. A good start could be the edible school yard out of Berkeley, California. http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/homepage.html I would also suggest becoming apart of a local effort to nourish kids and community in the Portland area, namely an Action Summit that was sponsored by Community Food Matters back in May I believe. http://www.ecotrust.org/foodfarms/cfm.html >From there, I would focus on what assets are in your general vicinity. Find out what tools you have to work with, both physical and conceptual. If you've got the space, the water, the soil and the need for sustenance, then kids will find them selves magically engaged in a learning experience that will last a life thyme. Peas and carrot to ya, Jordan Blake VISTA Learning Garden Coordinator Oregon Food Bank - Washington County Services [EMAIL PROTECTED] 503.439.6510 -----Original Message----- From: Mitch Frister [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 12:33 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [cg] Starting a School Garden Hello, We are starting a school garden and are collecting some information to help us make decisions. We are curious to hear about the process that other schools have gone through in starting a garden. What worked and what didn't work? What recommendations do you have? Does anyone know of any specific schools that have a successful garden that we could contact? Thanks for your help. Mitch Frister Growing Gardens Partnership Developer NWSA Americorps (503) 284-8420 / Fax 280-0603 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2003 NE 42nd Ave. #3 Portland, OR 97213 ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
