Latest issue of the Eat Smart, it's in the Gardens newsletter now available!!!

Please visit our website to view your latest edition of the Eat Smart, it's in the Garden newsletter.

Broccoli Project in Lexington, SC!!!!

Clemson Newsroom

check out this story about Clemson research that is moving the SC Broccoli industry with the goal of creating a $100 million dollar broccoli industry on the east coast!!! That's good for our economy and good for our health!! Check it out :)

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act becomes law!!!

The Labor of Lunch | Lunchbox

The Labor of Lunch | Lunchbox This video shares some amazing numbers about the amount of money that goes into the school lunch program. And also the amount of work that it takes to feed kids going to school on a daily basis. Check it out!!! WOW!!!

The Parent Factor | Lunchbox

The Parent Factor | Lunchbox Hear comments from parents in Berkely about what it took to get changes in their school lunch program.

Carolina Children's Garden Workshop, Dec. 21, 2010

Tuesday, December 21, 2-4 pm.
Welcome, Winter! Can you explain the reason for the seasons? Make a fruit model of the solar system and learn how other cultures, both modern and historical, commemorate the arrival of winter. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Lunch Love Community Trailer | Lunchbox

Lunch Love Community Trailer | Lunchbox

Check out this short documentary featuring school food service staff in the Berkely school district and their thoughts on providing meals to children and their performance in school.

Carolina Children's Garden Workshop, Dec. 18, 2010

Saturday, December 18, 2-4 pm
Holiday Celebration FREE family event to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy crafts, games, and a winter walk through the Children's Garden. Drop-ins welcome. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Michelle Obama announces the new Salad Bar 2 Schools program!!

If you are interested in having a new and/or improved salad bar at your school to promote healthy eating habits in children, check out this new program just announced by Michelle Obama !!

Wreath-Making Workshop - Dec. 4, 2010

Saturday, December 4, 2-4 pm
Wreath-Making Workshop (for Children and Adults!) Make wreaths from natural materials and decorate them for the holidays using objects found in nature. Take one home and create a second to donate. $2 per person (children 2 and under free). Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Recipies for Healthy Kids

Check out this opportunity to participate in a program for creating healthy recipes for school food service to serve during lunch, and schools could win prizes of $12,000!! Sponosored by the USDA and Michelle Obama's Let's Move group, the contest is running until December 20, 2010. Check it out!!! http://www.recipesforkidschallenge.com/

Carolina Children's Garden Workshop, Nov. 20, 2010

Saturday, November 20, 9-11 am
Resources and Recycling Everyone knows that recycling is important, but why? Participants will study the science of recycling, then explore creative ways to recycle everyday items. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Upstate School Garden Fundraiser!!

Edible Upcountry is conducting a fundraiser for school gardens in the Upstate!! to purchase your raffle ticket to support this fundraiser, please visit: http://www.ediblecommunities.com/upcountry/fundraiser/childrens-gardening-fundraiser.htm

The Great American Salad Bar Project - Grant application

If you would like your school to improve or implement a salad bar program as part of its cafeteria program, check out this grant opportunity!!!

http://saladbarproject.org/

Welch's Grant - February 2011

Now, in our second year partnership with Scholastic and the National Gardening Association, Welch's will support school garden programs through Welch's Harvest Grants. We are pleased to invite you to submit an application for your opportunity to win a valuable garden for your school.

Entries will be judged by experts at the National Gardening Association, and two schools in every state will be selected to receive a Welch's Harvest Grant. Winning schools will receive a customized indoor or outdoor garden package filled with a variety of tools, seeds, educational materials, and more. Five (5) $1,000 gardens and ninety-five (95) $500 gardens will be awarded. Deadline for submission is February 11, 2011, so we encourage you to start working on your grant application today.

for more information, please visit: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3752777

School gardens: Produce kids grow is forbidden fruit in Chicago lunchrooms - chicagotribune.com

School gardens: Produce kids grow is forbidden fruit in Chicago lunchrooms - chicagotribune.com


This article discusses the dilemma faced by many schools where they are forbidden from serving their garden produce in their school cafeteria meals. What are your thoughts? Should we try to change the rules? Make special provisions for times when it is appropriate to serve the school garden produce in the school cafeteria?

New school garden in Florence!!

http://www2.scnow.com/news/2010/oct/23/north-vista-elementary-school-garden-underway-ar-1002017/

Here's another great school garden project going on in Florence :) Check it out

SC School Gardens exhibit at the SC State Fair!!

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture exhibit in the Cantey Building at the SC State Fair is featuring School Gardens as part of its display this year!! Stop by and visit to see what's been happening in South Carolina School Gardens!! Or visit the Department's webpage at www.agriculture.sc.gov/schoolgardens

Conservation Station Workshop - November 5, 2010

Friday, November 5, 3:30-4:30 pm
Soil Conservation What's the "dirt" on dirt? Build a soil profile, explore erosion and soil conservation techniques, and classify soils based on their characteristics. Conservation Station Workshop. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Attracting Garden Volunteers

For a thoughtful article on attracking volunteers to work and support your school garden, please read this article: http://www.kidsgardening.com/Dig/digdetail.taf?Type=Art&id=2331

A great listing of grant opportunities for school gardens - Life & Style - TheState.com

This story provides a great listing of grant opportunities that you might be interested in applying for!!! Check it out Stimulus packages for school gardens - Life & Style - TheState.com

Carolina Children's Garden Workshop, Oct. 23, 2010

CAROLINA CHILDREN'S GARDEN WORKSHOP
Saturday, October 23, 9-11 am
Garden Chemistry Quick! What does pH mean? Explore the concept of pH with a fun chemistry experiment and discover what pH has to do with gardening. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Legare Farms - Fall Activities!!!

We’re still taking reservations from teachers for the Pumpkin Patch field trip and are already booking Thanksgiving on the Farm field trips for November. Fall is just a busy time for us and the farm.

We hope all of you will come out to the farm in October and November for all of our festivities. We of course have the pumpkin patch with pumpkins ranging from $3 to $8. We have everything from pie pumpkin to the jumbos for carving.

October 1-31
Pumpkin Patch and Maze

November
Thanksgiving on the Farm Field Trips

November 7
Fall Harvest Dinner

Conservation Station Workshop - October 22, 2010

Friday, October 22, 3:30-4:30 pm
Wildlife: Animal Spoor What is "spoor" and what does it tell us about local wildlife? Make-and-take craft included. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 6-12. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Muhammad Ali Center Peace Garden Grant

The National Gardening Association is proud to announce a new sponsorship program by Yum! Brands. In an effort to help all schools sow the seeds of respect, the Muhammad Ali Center Peace Garden is designed to help schools teach lessons of peace and hunger awareness through garden activities. As a global initiative, the United States and all international locations are eligible for participation. The grant opportunity begins on September 21st in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace, a day of global recognition of the importance of tolerance and respect for all humanity.

To be eligible for the 2011 Muhammad Ali Center Peace Garden, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2011 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. Schools within the United States must have a student body eligible for 50% or more reduced or free lunches. This is a global initiative; all International countries and territories are eligible to apply. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and peace studies, and nutrition and hunger issues.

50 Award packages are available. 2011 award winners will receive:

A Link-a-Bord raised Garden bed
A literature package from NGA
Kid's gardening tools
Child-sized gardening gloves
A composter

2011 Youth Gardening Grants!!

For the 2011 grant cycle, 100 grants are available. Packages are as follows:

•Five(5) programs will receive gift cards valued at $1000 (a $500 gift card to The Home Depot and a $500 gift card to Gardening with Kids) and educational materials from NGA)
•Ninety Five(95) programs will receive a $500 gift card* to The Home Depot and educational materials from NGA

for more information, please visit: http://assoc.garden.org/grants/

Youth Gardening Ideas!

The National Gardening Association website has a great feature article on the positives of youth gardening, and also inclues some fun ideas!! Check it out!!! http://www.nationalgardenmonth.org/index.php?page=201004storyline

Consumer Wellness Center Grant Available

The Consumer Wellness Center (CWC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting nutrition as a way to prevent disease and enhance human health and longevity, announces its third annual Nutritional Education Grant Program. In order to help further the cause of improved health through good nutrition, the program is offering ten $1,000 grant awards this year to people and organizations dedicated to making a positive impact on nutrition and health in their local communities and schools.
Grant applications are due Oct. 18, 2010. for more information and to download the application, please visit: http://www.naturalnews.com/029826_nutrition_grants.html

Growing Foods Curriculum for 4th - 6th graders

Resources | Lunchbox

In this inquiry-based curriculum, you and your students embark on an exciting adventure — learning science through the study of our fascinating food production system. Students learn about cycles in nature, flow of energy, and food systems while engaging in hands-on investigations of photosynthesis, food webs, agriculture, and more. Developed by educators at Teachers College, Columbia University, Growing Food is the first module in the Linking Food and the Environment (LiFE) curriculum series. Includes teacher lesson plans, background information, teaching tips, and tools for assessment; student activity sheets and readings; and a matrix mapping the book to National Science Education Standards and Benchmarks for Science Literacy. Grades 4-6,

Subaru Healthy Sprouts Grant - Oct. 1, 2010

To be eligible for the 2010 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2011 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and education related to environmental, nutrition and hunger issues in the United States.

This year we will present awards to 30 schools or organizations. Each program will receive:

a $500 gift certificate to the Gardening with Kids catalog and online store for basic youth gardening supplies and supporting educational materials
NGA's Eat a Rainbow Kit, chock full of engaging taste education and nutrition lessons
a literature package from NGA

For more information and to download application, please visit: http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/healthysprouts.asp

Join the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association for a special harvest festival celebrating local, sustainable farms! Tantalize your taste buds with mouthwatering seasonal cuisine, produced in the Upstate, prepared and served by the area’s finest chefs. There will be tours of charming Patient Wait Farm, live music, and children’s activities, so bring your friends and family for an unforgettable evening of farm-fresh fun!
Sunday, October 3rd ▪ 3:00 – 7:00 pm ▪ Patient Wait Farms
Piedmont, SC ▪ Just minutes off Interstate-85 (exit 32)

Tickets limited and are available at
www.CarolinaFarmStewards.org

$45 adults ▪ children’s tickets also available

Historic Columbia Scarecrow in the Garden Contest!!

Historic Columbia Foundation invites families, community groups, businesses, and individuals to enter its “Scarecrows in the Garden” contest. Enter your most creative scarecrows by Friday, September 24. Historic Columbia Foundation will showcase all scarecrows from October 1 – October 31 at the Robert Mills House and Garden.

Scarecrow entries are $10 for families and $20 for businesses/organizations.

Participants are welcome to enter more than one scarecrow. Visitors can view the scarecrow exhibit Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Community leaders and local celebrities will select the best scarecrow and the public is encouraged to vote for the “People’s Choice Award” until noon on Saturday, October 23 when winners are announced. Prizes include cash, trophies, and tour passes.

Participants can drop off scarecrows until Monday, September 27. For contest guidelines and to register, visit www.HistoricColumbia.org or call 252-1770 ext. 24 or contact Kelly Powell at tabbpowell@yahoo.com .

Carolina Children's Garden Workshop, Sept. 22, 2010

Wednesday, September 22, 10-11 am
Little Leaves: Autumn Arrives! Fall themed story time, craft, and nature walk. $2 per child; recommended for children ages 3-8. Space is limited; register in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 803-459-3212, e-mail carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.carolinachildrensgarden.org. 900 Clemson Rd.

Growing Vertical

Here's an article on maximizing your space. Think about growing up if you can't grow out!!! http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/urban-gardening/random-acts-of-gardening/vertical-gardening.aspx

Fruit Trees for Kids program in California!!!

Here's an article about an interesting concept where kids are involved in theatre, sustainable living and planting fruit trees!!! http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/urban-gardening/random-acts-of-gardening/fruit-trees-for-kids.aspx?NewsLetterId=221693&Email=crockerae%40hotmail.com&City=columbia&StateProvince=SC&PostalCode=

Ellen DeGeneres Plants a Home Farm!

Celebrity Ellen DeGeneres gets her own home garden!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdrcc6qmWlI

Cal Ag Secretary at School Garden

School Gardens

SC Farm Bureau Mini-Garden Grant Available!!

The SC Farm Bureau is once again offering a mini-garden grant program!! Applications are due by October 1st, 2010. For more information, please visit:

www.scfb.org/getinvolved/agintheclassroom/gardenminigrantsforteachers.aspx

OAEC School Garden Program on Channel 11 News

SPIN Gardening

Wanting to use your Garden to earn money on the produce that you are growing? check out this website for some neat ideas/concepts about using small acreage gardens to generate money from the produce being grown!!! http://spinfarming.com/whatsSpin/

Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard, Part 1: About the Project

Salad Bars in Washington DC Schools

United Fresh has been donating salad bars to schools in Washington DC!!! Is this something that you or your school district might be interested in having at your school? Read the newsletter for more information!!!

Why School Gardens?

Edible Schoolyard at Green Charter School

Youth Environmental Education Grant Program-Call for Applications

Youth Environmental Education Grant Program applications are being accepted through October 8, 2010, by the Lowcountry Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council. Please direct inquiries and applications to Steve Edwards, Lowcountry RC&D, Colleton County Human Services Center, 219 South Lemacks Street, Walterboro, SC, 29488, (843) 549-5596 or steve.edwards@sc.usda.gov.

These grants are not for individual students; rather they are intended for programs that teach environmental awareness to youth. Applications can be submitted from anywhere within the state.

This program was created to encourage and enhance natural resources education for South Carolina’s young adults. The Youth Education Committee will award grants up to $2000 to promote, enhance, or assist with environmental education programs for youth. Funding comes from the Lowcountry RC&D Council's Wildlife Incentives Program seed sales. Certified and treated one year old corn, soybean and sorghum seed are offered each spring for wildlife planting and wheat seed is offered each fall.

Applications must be mailed (no faxes or emails) and must be the original application—no photocopies will be accepted. All grant recipients will be required to submit an article to the local news media with a copy to Lowcountry RC&D to justify use of grant funds.

Download and print out the application at: www.sc.nrcs.usda.gov/Youthgrantapp2010.pdf.

SC Education Policy Fellow Program

SC-EPFP is a 10-month professional development program for emerging leaders in education and related fields designed to work toward the implementation of sound education policy and practice in South Carolina by:

•Engaging stakeholders;
•Enlarging networks;
•Developing leaders;
•Deepening understanding;
•Honing skills;
•Creating consensus; and
•Building capacity.

for more information and/or to apply for this program, please visit: http://sic.sc.gov/sceducationpolicyfellowshipprogram/

Botanical Gardens expanding beyond Flowers!!

Here is an interesting article talking about the trends of botanical gardens expanding beyond flowers, looking at growing more food plants and hosting food activities, as well as using the garden for art and cultural experiences. Does this article inspire you for other ways that you can use your school garden? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/us/27botanical.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

The Edible Schoolyard: Seed-to-Table Learning

The Edible Schoolyard

Veggie Critters!

Check out these cute ideas for making "veggie critters" and getting your kids excited about eating fresh veggies!! See: http://three-seventeen.blogspot.com/2010/06/fun-summer-activity-make-veggie.html

Creating School Garden Rules

School Garden Brings Learning to Life

Helpful Gardner Forum!

Check out this link for helpful information from other gardeners!! http://www.helpfulgardener.com/

Eat Smart, ... it's in the Garden Workshop a Success!!

On June 21st, 2010, the first Eat Smart,.... it's in the Garden workshop was held in Columbia. For a great review of the program, check out this article: http://www.thestate.com/2010/07/01/1358718/teachable-moments-in-the-garden.html

News Coverage of the Eat Smart, ...it's in the Garden Workshop!!

To get a glimpse of what went on at the Eat Smart, ...it's in the Garden workshop held on June 21, 2010, check out this link: http://www.wltx.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=88831&catid=67

Great Video on Starting a School Garden!!! Growing Communities Northey Street City Farm

NEW - Eat Smart, ... it's in the Garden Toolkit now available!!

The Eat Smart,...it's in the Garden Tookit is now available online at: www.agriculture.sc.gov under the School Garden section. Happy Gardening :)

Sign up for the USDA/Health Magazine Healthier Schools Challenge!

Visit www.health.com/healthierschools and share your school story about what you are doing to fight childhood obesity and teaching children about healthier lifestyles. Schools will receive recognition and you can share tips by reading stories about other schools and their efforts! http://living.health.com/2010/04/21/how-healthy-is-your-childs-school/

Virtual Teacher on Climate Change

Audubon centers in three states have recently installed kiosks that allow internet-savvy children the ability to learn about climate change. These kiosks have a global warming quiz, a crystal ball that reveals how rising temperatures are affecting birds across the country and the option to email users a postcard reminder about climate change featuring an image of an animal that is at risk of extinction because of global warming. The kiosks teach children about actions they can take in order to combat climate change and also reminds them of the positive contributions they are already making towards reducing climate change. Even though one of these kiosks is not yet located in South Carolina all the information can be viewed at the kiosk website.