Morgan Hill Today 2014 09 Fall | Page 63

Garden Club announces EduGrow Planting-to-Learn program grants

SCHOOLS AND NON-PROFIT YOUTH GROUPS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR “ SEED MONEY ”

South Valley Fleurs Garden Club has announced a call for grant applications for their EduGrow- Planting to Learn program . The Garden Club supports education in horticulture by offering grants to elementary , middle and high school teachers who wish to include gardening in their curriculum . This year , the program has expanded to include non-profit youth groups such as Scouts , 4H and FFA . Schools and youth groups in Morgan Hill , San Martin , Gilroy , Hollister and San Juan Bautista are invited to submit grant applications .

Over the last 4 years , EduGrow “ seed money ” has been granted to 6 local elementary schools , where funds were used to create school gardens , build raised bed planting boxes , repair and replace tools and irrigation systems , and purchase seeds , plants , top soil and amendments for existing gardens .
“ We believe that Planting to Learn programs are an easy way to implement science standards and help children connect with their food and their environment ,” said Louise Helland , Co-Chair of the EduGrow program . “ It is gratifying to know that children are picking and eating the pumpkins and carrots they grew themselves , in gardens improved through EduGrow grants . These programs also help build community and have a multiplying effect by engaging schools , students , parents and local retailers in the process of funding and maintaining the projects .”
The EduGrow program also includes , on request , consultations , lessons and hands-on demonstrations presented to schools and youth groups . “ Fleurs Garden Club members possess a wealth of gardening experience and information ,” said Betsy Ding , program co-chair . “ An important element of the EduGrow program is sharing our collective knowledge with the next generation of gardeners .”
The deadline for grant applications is January 15 , 2015 . For more information , or to request a grant application form , contact Donna Dicker at drmbd @ garlic . com or call 408.776.7867 .
ABOUT SOUTH VALLEY FLEURS
South Valley Fleurs Garden Club is made up of a group of gardeners in the South Santa Clara County / San Benito County area . It is an active club that maintains several public gardens in Morgan Hill , Gilroy and Hollister . The club also supports education in horticulture by offering grants to youth groups and school teachers who wish to include gardening in their curriculum .
Children are invited to pot a plant and take it home at the annual plant sale held each year in April .
P . A . Walsh students working in gardens .
Paradise Valley Elementary School used grant money to purchase new topsoil for their gardens .
From left to right : Janet McElroy , Fleurs ; Christel Morley , ELD / Literacy and Intervention Facilitator , Rod Kelley Elementary ; Donna Dicker , Fleurs ; Luis Carrillo , Principal , and Laura Leon , first grade teacher , Rod Kelley Elementary .
F A L L 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y
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