The Dirt on Community and School Gardens
May 10th, 2010
Hartford Memorial Middle School
Presented by Upper Valley Farm to School, Valley Food Council, Valley Food & Farm, with thanks to HEAL for sponsoring our speaker
The program had a keynote speech by Jim Flint, Executive Director of the Friends of the Burlington Gardens at VT Community Garden Network, followed by a panel discussion featuring five representatives of local gardens.
Keynote Presentation:
Jim Flint spoke about the school-based community garden projects underway in Vermont, and on what makes a garden a successful project.
What are the best practices that make a school garden sustainable?
- Location – highly visible, access to sun, water, good soil, raised beds
- Organic gardening – no pesticides, no chemicals, use of composting, mulching, cover cropping
- Administrative/school board support – garden viewed as integral part of the school and community, consistent with district curricular goals
- Skilled coordinators/steering committee – facilitative leadership, effective communications, shared planning and decision making, youth engagement
- Branding – attractive permanent sign, sturdy fencing, clear rules posted at the site, garden newsletter, ability to raise and account for funds, website
- Group garden beds for student-inspired thematic garden; experimental idea: garden beds or plots for families who do not have space for gardens at home (bringing the community in to give support in summertime)
- Twice weekly summer meeting times when activities take place at the garden
- Reciprocity – thanking sponsors, volunteers, donors, sharing extra produce and flowers
- Community – garden potlucks, gatherings, harvest celebrations
- Long term commitment to sustainability and building of social capital
For more information and resources, go to www.burlingtongardens.org.
Panel Discussion/Presentations:
The five panel members spoke about their experiences with school and community gardens, and the challenges they overcame. Websites linked where available.
Pat McGovern: cofounder of localvore movement in Upper Valley, active in community garden in Lebanon
groups.google.com/group/canillas-community-garden?pli=1
Chloe Powell, Camp Red Clover
Beth Carlson, Farm to School Coordinator at Windsor State Street School
http://www.uvfts.org/your-fts/state-street-school/
Peter Allison, Farm to School UV Director and at Hartland
http://www.uvfts.org/your-fts/hartland-vt/
Cat Buxton, Farm educator at Cedar Circle Farm
http://www.cedarcirclefarm.org/education-center/
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