Free Gardening Resources For Schools Seeds Grants And Educational Programs

School gardening programs offer numerous educational benefits, from teaching students about plant science to encouraging healthier eating habits. However, establishing and maintaining these programs can require resources that many schools may not readily have. Fortunately, numerous free resources are available to help schools start and sustain gardening initiatives. This article explores the various free gardening resources available to schools, including seed programs, grants, community support, and educational materials.

Free Seed Programs

The Free Seeds for Education Program offered by UNH Extension Master Gardeners provides an excellent resource for schools in New Hampshire. This program offers free seeds specifically for educational gardens used for teaching and learning purposes. The program has specific submission requirements:

• Free Seeds are available only for educational gardens within New Hampshire, including school gardens, youth gardens, and non-profit organizations.
• Each order may include up to 10 seed packets. Orders greater than 10 will be rejected.
• Seeds are categorized alphabetically within types: flowers, vegetables, organic vegetables, herbs, and organic herbs.
• Only one order per classroom or organization is permitted.
• Substitutions may be made if the first choice is not available.
• Special orders can be requested via email at [email protected], including desired varieties, quantities, and the purpose for the special order.

It's important to note that these seeds were packaged for a previous year, which is why they're offered for free. As a result, germination rates may not be as high as "fresh" seeds. Educators are encouraged to learn how to conduct germination tests to ensure seed viability.

The program has been running since 2017, made possible by UNH Extension Master Gardener Volunteers who inventory, sort, and fill orders, as well as by businesses that donate seeds.

Another source for free seeds is the Feed a Bee program, which offers free seed packets to help support bee populations. This program is available through their website at www.feedabeed.com. Schools interested in attracting pollinators to their gardens can benefit from these free resources.

Grant Opportunities

For schools seeking more substantial resources, various grant programs are available to support gardening initiatives. Growing Spaces, for example, has expanded its discount program for nonprofits, schools, and government entities. Registered 501(c)(3) organizations, PreK-12 schools, and government entities (city, county, state, federal, or tribal governments) are eligible for a 6% discount off the Growing Dome base kit price when using the code COMMUNITY6. Verification of eligibility may be requested.

The Colorado Garden Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in grants to fund gardening and horticulture projects specifically for Colorado. All proceeds from the Colorado Home and Garden Show support these garden grants.

Community Resources

Schools can also benefit from community involvement in their gardening initiatives. Volunteering at local school gardens, native land care organizations, community garden working bees, or Permaculture blitz events can provide not only extra help but also valuable knowledge and resources. Volunteers often receive free plant cuttings as a thank you, which can be used to expand the school garden.

Local gardening clubs, seed saver groups, and Permaculture groups are typically welcoming to new members and often share knowledge and plants. Schools can establish partnerships with these organizations to gain access to expertise and additional resources.

Another approach to obtaining free plants is through propagation from kitchen scraps. For example:

• Organic sweet potatoes or potatoes can be replanted after 'eyes' or mini shoots have sprouted
• Pineapple tops can be rooted by twisting off the top, removing a few leaves from the base until small brown hard 'dots' or 'rootlets' appear, allowing it to dry for a few days, and then replanting

Educational Benefits

Research has demonstrated the educational and health benefits of school gardening programs. The Texas Sprouts study, which included over 3,000 elementary school-aged students, showed that incorporating gardening, cooking, and nutrition lessons into schools led to a modest yet significant increase in vegetable consumption among children in predominantly Hispanic, low-income communities.

The program involved creating 0.25-acre teaching gardens in eight schools, with the remaining schools serving as a control group. Each school formed a Garden Leadership Committee of teachers, parents, students, and community members to oversee the gardens and ensure they became an integral part of school culture.

According to lead researcher Jaimie Davis, having a garden program at school "gets kids interested in growing their own food and where their food comes from, and…empowers the child to be a champion of change in the house." The study found that kids who grow their own food and cook with their own foods are much more likely to be willing to try new vegetables.

Over nine months, students participated in 18 interactive gardening, cooking, and nutrition lessons. Parents also had access to monthly workshops to foster a culture of health at home, though only 7 percent of parents attended at least one workshop despite incentives like free babysitting, meals, and produce giveaways.

The program significantly increased vegetable consumption, but researchers saw no measurable changes in obesity-related markers such as BMI, body fat percentage, or blood pressure during the study period. The researchers noted that a longer intervention period may be necessary to produce measurable health outcomes.

Implementation Ideas

When implementing a school garden project, involving students in the design process can foster a sense of ownership and stewardship. This approach leads to sustainability, as students are more likely to continue using and caring for a garden they helped create.

A suggested implementation approach includes:

Step 1: Planning and Funding - Seek sponsorships from local businesses to purchase materials needed for the school garden - Apply for grants through organizations like 4H and other grant providers

Step 2: Student Design Challenge - Engage upper elementary through high school students in designing the school garden - Have students create plans for raised beds to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other plants - Provide constraints such as utilizing a specific dimensional area, planning plant locations, creating an irrigation plan, and staying within a specified budget - Have students draw their plans to scale on graphing paper to calculate correct amounts of materials and plan appropriate plant quantities and spacing

This approach not only engages students actively but also helps them practice important math skills without them necessarily realizing it.

Conclusion

School gardening programs offer numerous educational and health benefits, and there are numerous free resources available to help schools establish and maintain these initiatives. From free seed programs like UNH Extension's Free Seeds for Education to grant opportunities and community resources, schools have access to a variety of support systems. By involving students in the design and maintenance of school gardens, educators can foster a sense of ownership and stewardship that will help ensure the long-term success of these programs.

The research supports the educational value of school gardens, showing that they can increase vegetable consumption among children and provide hands-on learning opportunities across multiple subject areas. With the various free resources available, schools can establish thriving garden programs that benefit students, teachers, and the wider community.

Sources

1. UNH Extension Free Seeds for Education Program
2. Frugal Gardening: How to Get Plants for Free
3. Garden Freebies to Start Your Garden Right
4. School Gardens Boost Vegetable Intake and Empower Students, Study Shows
5. Gardening Grants
6. School Garden STEM Project