Don't forget about the SC Farm to School pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/scfarmtoschool/boards/)!!!
Pinterest Boards include: Local Produce in SC Schools, SC Food Gardens, School Garden Ideas, Upcoming Events, SC Farm to School Recipes, Garden Inspiration, Just for Fun and Nutrition! Boards are updated regularily!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
BOONANZA at the State Farmers Market-THIS FRIDAY
Celebrate fall and Halloween at BOONANZA at the State Farmers Market October 25 in the Certified SC Grown Farmers Sheds. The free trunk-or-treat event is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or while candy supplies last.
Bring your little ones for a safe trick-or-treating venue, where they will enjoy both candy and healthy treats. Bouncy houses, agriculture activity areas, and pumpkin painting are all part of the event. Pumpkins will be available for purchase, but the painting is a free activity.
BOONANZA at the State Farmers Market
October 25, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
State Farmers Market
3483 Charleston Hwy., W. Columbia, SC
Certified SC Grown Farmers Sheds
Bring your little ones for a safe trick-or-treating venue, where they will enjoy both candy and healthy treats. Bouncy houses, agriculture activity areas, and pumpkin painting are all part of the event. Pumpkins will be available for purchase, but the painting is a free activity.
BOONANZA at the State Farmers Market
October 25, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
State Farmers Market
3483 Charleston Hwy., W. Columbia, SC
Certified SC Grown Farmers Sheds
Monday, October 21, 2013
Carolina Children's Garden Update
The Carolina Children's Garden at Sandhills (900 Clemson Rd, Columbia, SC 29229) is proud of their most recent installation. Through generous donations and grant funding, the garden has dedicated a "Fountain for Youth" to Ann Lewis, Richland County Master Gardener. The drinking fountain is for people and pets, hikers and visitors!!
Upcoming events at the Garden:
Upcoming events at the Garden:
- Programs and fundraisers with Children and Gardening Authors
- Planting healthy foods and harvesting them
- Decorating the garden for the Holidays
- Saturday programs for children
- Arbor Day activities
Arbor Day activities are scheduled for Friday, December 6th at 4pm. There will be tree plantings and the first 100 children to attend will receive a free Virginia Pine Christmas Tree seedling.
For more information on any of the above, visit the Carolina Children's Garden website at carolinachildrensgarden.org.
Monday, August 26, 2013
SC School Garden Workshops
In order for a school to
participate in the Farm to School program they must abide by a set of
criteria. They must promote the Certified SC Grown program with signage,
serve at least two SC Grown fruits or vegetables in the cafeteria, incorporate
agriculture and nutrition into lesson plans and construct a school
garden. To assist schools with establishing a garden, the Farm to School
program hosted two SC School Garden Workshops this summer. Both workshops
were hands-on, designed for all skill levels and spotlighted successful Farm to
School gardens in South Carolina. There were presentations from regional
garden educators and experts and demonstrations of “square foot
gardening”. Participants even made and took home fantastic garden crafts.
Each workshop had over 50 attendees and they were considered huge
successes. The SC Farm to School program is excited to see how attendees
improve upon their school gardens and hope they implement strategies discussed
at the workshops.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
TEAM NUTRITION RESOURCES
The USDA's Team Nutrition has released two exciting new curriculum resources!
Dig In! helps kids, teachers, and parents explore a world of possibilities in the garden and on the plate using ten inquiry-based lessons that engage 5th and 6th graders in growing, harvesting, tasting, and learning about fruits and vegetables. Dig In! also includes a gardening guide, booklets for parents/caregivers, and six dynamic posters encouraging fruit and vegetable choices using themes that appeal to older elementary school children.
The Great Garden Detective Adventure is focused on discovering what fruits and vegetables are sweetest, crunchiest, and juiciest through a series of investigations and fun experiences connecting the school garden to the classroom, school cafeteria, and home. This eleven-lesson curriculum for 3rd and 4th grades includes bulletin board materials, veggie dice, fruit and vegetable flash cards, and ten issues of Garden Detective News for parents/caregivers.
We are working to upload both of these resources to our website!! Please check with us soon at scfarmtoschool.com!!
MIDLANDS CHOPPED!!
Recently, Lexington-Richland 5 recreated the Food Network's "Chopped" program. There were five teams of cafeteria workers from HE Corley, Crossroads Middle, Irmo High, Chapin Middle and Dutch Fork High. All teams used USDA approved ingredients, pantry items and a local mystery ingredient.
Irmo High won with a plate of sauteed chicken topped with mango slices, steamed collards, fried tomato and pasta salad with chopped kale and red peppers!! GO YELLOW JACKETS!!
We love all the ways SC schools are incorporating new nutrition guidelines and creating fabulous meals for students. Please share with us stories and ways your school cafeteria is changing!!
Irmo High won with a plate of sauteed chicken topped with mango slices, steamed collards, fried tomato and pasta salad with chopped kale and red peppers!! GO YELLOW JACKETS!!
We love all the ways SC schools are incorporating new nutrition guidelines and creating fabulous meals for students. Please share with us stories and ways your school cafeteria is changing!!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Butterfly Program at Carolina Children's Garden
Join the Richland County Extension Agency and the Richland County Master Gardener on Saturday, May 18th for the BUTTERFLY PROGRAM at Carolina Children's Garden.
Cost is $8.00 per child and includes a live caterpillar, host plant and butterfly booklet. Space is limited, so please pre-register at carolinachildrensgarden.org.
Cost is $8.00 per child and includes a live caterpillar, host plant and butterfly booklet. Space is limited, so please pre-register at carolinachildrensgarden.org.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE DIRECTORS!!
The USDA is conducting a "Farm to School Census" that will survey over 13,000 school districts to determine how many schools buy local! The survey will help the USDA make efficient use of Farm to School funds.
To participate and learn more: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/f2s-census.htm
To participate and learn more: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/f2s-census.htm
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Kids Summer Cooking Day Camp-Healthy Hands Cooking
Enter now to win a FREE week at "Kids Summer Cooking Day Camp" (June 24-27), hosted by Healthy Hands Cooking in Columbia!!!
Day 1: Healthy Snacking
Day 2: Healthy Breakfasts
Day 3: Healthy Lunches
Day 4: Healthy Substitutions for our Favorite Foods
The contest is open to kids ages 5-13 and is open until June, 17.
For more information: http://www.healthyhandscooking.com/kids-summer-cooking-camp-contest.html
BEST OF LUCK!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Seed Starting with Mini Greenhouses!
For the most part, starting plants from seeds is fairly easy...however, sometimes seeds need a little extra nurturing. A solution is to use a homemade DIY mini greenhouse!
You can start with any container, so long as it has draining holes. Fill the container with your favorite seed-starting soil and leave about an inch of room at the top. Sow and water your seed. Then, cover your container with some plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. The plastic should be removed as soon as the seed sprouts!
Enjoy :)
(DIY idea taken from a blog on Kitchen Gardeners International: http://kgi.org/blog/davehames/seed-starting-mini-greenhouses)
You can start with any container, so long as it has draining holes. Fill the container with your favorite seed-starting soil and leave about an inch of room at the top. Sow and water your seed. Then, cover your container with some plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. The plastic should be removed as soon as the seed sprouts!
Enjoy :)
(DIY idea taken from a blog on Kitchen Gardeners International: http://kgi.org/blog/davehames/seed-starting-mini-greenhouses)
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Upcoming School Gardens Webinar on APRIL 15!!!
Webinar 4/15
Skills of a Successful School Garden Coordinator A new posting from The edWeb Team (edWeb.net)
Join us for the next Growing School Gardens webinar!
Skills of a Successful School Garden Coordinator Monday, April 15, 2013- 4pm / Eastern Time
In This Session
What skills are required to manage a successful school garden program?
Join us for our community's next webinar when Sam Ullery, School Garden Specialist at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, DC will outline a framework of skills that contribute to a well-managed, effective school garden program. This framework can be used as a guide for your school garden program to help you to take full advantage of your school garden as an outdoor classroom. Additionally, two DC school garden coordinators will provide concrete examples of how putting these skills into practice has positively impacted their school garden programs. Join Sam Ullery, Kate Lee, and Kealy Rudersdorf on April 15 to learn the skills required to manage a successful school garden program.
To Participate in the Live Session
- Login at www.instantpresenter.com/edwebnet11 at the scheduled time.
- There is no pre-registration for this event.
- This webinar will be recorded and archived in this community for viewing at anytime.
About the Presenters
Sam Ullery is the School Garden Specialist at the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Division of Wellness and Nutrition. Sam has six years of inner city high school science teaching experience where he challenged students to engage in the food system through gardening. In his current role, Sam collaborates with garden-based organizations to ensure the 80-plus DC school gardens receive the technical support, training, and resources needed to continue to engage youth in garden-based learning. Sam also serves as the co-president of the DC Schoolyard Greening Committee.
Kate Lee holds a degree in Horticulture from the Univ. of Georgia and has 5 years of experience in urban farming. As owner and head grower Capital City Farm Co., an urban micro-farming business, Kate works with schools, non-profits, and residents around Washington, DC developing garden programs, growing vegetables, and educating future gardeners. Her skills also include drip irrigation installation, compost management, and beekeeping.
Kealy Rudersdorf is DC Greens’ Garden Educator at Stoddert Elementary.
She teaches garden-based lessons in the spring and fall with the students, leads community open times in the garden during the summer, and provides environmental-based science lessons during the winter.
Kealy has a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a M.A. in Teaching, and has earned a LEED accreditation and a certificate in permaculture design.
In addition to working with DC Greens, Kealy helps to manage two farmers’ markets.
This program is co-hosted by edWeb.net and the National Farm to School Network.
Follow us on Twitter @edWebnet to learn about upcoming webinars and special events!
Skills of a Successful School Garden Coordinator A new posting from The edWeb Team (edWeb.net)
Join us for the next Growing School Gardens webinar!
Skills of a Successful School Garden Coordinator Monday, April 15, 2013- 4pm / Eastern Time
In This Session
What skills are required to manage a successful school garden program?
Join us for our community's next webinar when Sam Ullery, School Garden Specialist at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, DC will outline a framework of skills that contribute to a well-managed, effective school garden program. This framework can be used as a guide for your school garden program to help you to take full advantage of your school garden as an outdoor classroom. Additionally, two DC school garden coordinators will provide concrete examples of how putting these skills into practice has positively impacted their school garden programs. Join Sam Ullery, Kate Lee, and Kealy Rudersdorf on April 15 to learn the skills required to manage a successful school garden program.
To Participate in the Live Session
- Login at www.instantpresenter.com/edwebnet11 at the scheduled time.
- There is no pre-registration for this event.
- This webinar will be recorded and archived in this community for viewing at anytime.
About the Presenters
Sam Ullery is the School Garden Specialist at the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Division of Wellness and Nutrition. Sam has six years of inner city high school science teaching experience where he challenged students to engage in the food system through gardening. In his current role, Sam collaborates with garden-based organizations to ensure the 80-plus DC school gardens receive the technical support, training, and resources needed to continue to engage youth in garden-based learning. Sam also serves as the co-president of the DC Schoolyard Greening Committee.
Kate Lee holds a degree in Horticulture from the Univ. of Georgia and has 5 years of experience in urban farming. As owner and head grower Capital City Farm Co., an urban micro-farming business, Kate works with schools, non-profits, and residents around Washington, DC developing garden programs, growing vegetables, and educating future gardeners. Her skills also include drip irrigation installation, compost management, and beekeeping.
Kealy Rudersdorf is DC Greens’ Garden Educator at Stoddert Elementary.
She teaches garden-based lessons in the spring and fall with the students, leads community open times in the garden during the summer, and provides environmental-based science lessons during the winter.
Kealy has a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a M.A. in Teaching, and has earned a LEED accreditation and a certificate in permaculture design.
In addition to working with DC Greens, Kealy helps to manage two farmers’ markets.
This program is co-hosted by edWeb.net and the National Farm to School Network.
Follow us on Twitter @edWebnet to learn about upcoming webinars and special events!
Third Annual Nutrition Symposium
On March 29th, University of South Carolina's Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, held their third annual Nutrition Symposium. This year's confrence was Healthy Eating in Context: Bridging Gaps, Linking Communities. Farm to School and SC School Gardens were community exhibitors.
We were so pleased to have so many attendees interested in Farm to School and SC School Gardens. One graduate student told us school gardens is the topic of her Master's thesis!
We had a great time and look forward to participating again next year!
We were so pleased to have so many attendees interested in Farm to School and SC School Gardens. One graduate student told us school gardens is the topic of her Master's thesis!
We had a great time and look forward to participating again next year!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
How to Save a Public Library: Make it a Seed Bank
Here's a truly unique way to influence others to garden.
In Basalt Colorado, the public library is lending books...and seeds.
A library card will get you a pack of seeds. Once those seeds are planted, and the fruits and vegetables have grown, the biggest and best seeds will be harvested and returned to the library to be shared with others.
The seed packets have become a novelty among classic books, CDs and DVDs and residents enjoy the entire process!!
For the full story: http://www.nhpr.org/post/how-save-public-library-make-it-seed-bank#.URE2Fr-yfH0.facebook
In Basalt Colorado, the public library is lending books...and seeds.
A library card will get you a pack of seeds. Once those seeds are planted, and the fruits and vegetables have grown, the biggest and best seeds will be harvested and returned to the library to be shared with others.
The seed packets have become a novelty among classic books, CDs and DVDs and residents enjoy the entire process!!
For the full story: http://www.nhpr.org/post/how-save-public-library-make-it-seed-bank#.URE2Fr-yfH0.facebook
Monday, February 4, 2013
Calling all Gardeners!!
Gardening for Good and Generous Garden Project are partnering together to grow affordable plants for community and home gardens in Greenville.
For only $20 per flat (48 plants), you can order a variety of eggplant, tomatoes, squash, peppers, and more for your summer garden. All of the seeds are certified organic and the Generous Garden follows strictly organic practices in their greenhouses.
This is the best deal in town! And...it supports Gardening for Good and Generous Garden Project!!
For only $20 per flat (48 plants), you can order a variety of eggplant, tomatoes, squash, peppers, and more for your summer garden. All of the seeds are certified organic and the Generous Garden follows strictly organic practices in their greenhouses.
This is the best deal in town! And...it supports Gardening for Good and Generous Garden Project!!
Order by February 15th and you'll save 10%!!
Visit: http://ggardeningforgood.com/resources/plant_order_form/?utm_source=Summer+Plant+Order&utm_campaign=Gardening+for+Good&utm_medium=email
Visit: http://ggardeningforgood.com/resources/plant_order_form/?utm_source=Summer+Plant+Order&utm_campaign=Gardening+for+Good&utm_medium=email
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Betty J. Dewitt Outstanding Educator Award
The SC Farm Bureau Federation is accepting applications for the Betty J DeWitt Teacher Award. They are seeking applications from South Carolina certified teachers of grades K-8 who are integrating exemplary agricultural education programs into their school curriculum.
The South Carolina Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee awards the winner a cash prize and an expense-paid trip to the South Carolina Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Teachers may nominate themselves or another teacher.
The application deadline is April 8, 2013
For more information visit:
http://www.scfb.org/getinvolved/agintheclassroom/bettyjdewittoutstandingeducatoraward.aspx
Fun Food!
We all know it can be challenging to get kids to try new foods, fruits and vegetables...Sometimes display can help!
Check out these fun food displays:
Had I been given a plate like this when I was younger, I would have tried anything!!
Check out these fun food displays:
Had I been given a plate like this when I was younger, I would have tried anything!!
Painting with Fruits & Veggies!
Painting is a great way for kids to use their imaginations.
For a new spin on painting, allow your kids to raid the fruit and veggie bins in your fridge. Fruits and veggies can become your painting instruments! No more paint brushes!
We suggest using potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, and celery. These items will create different textures and unique works of art. Let your kids go wild!
For a new spin on painting, allow your kids to raid the fruit and veggie bins in your fridge. Fruits and veggies can become your painting instruments! No more paint brushes!
We suggest using potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, and celery. These items will create different textures and unique works of art. Let your kids go wild!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Gardening for Good Workshops
Gardening for Good, is a network and resource center for community gardens in, Greenville SC. They host monthly workshops with local experts in hopes to better/create a flourishing garden.
The January 23 workshop is titled "Herb with Healing Properties". It will cover the benefits and uses of essential oils.
The February 26 workshop is titled "Introduction to Beekeeping". Here you will learn why bees are important in your garden.
The March 23 workshop is titled "Starting a Community Garden". This workshop will introduce key concepts in managing a community garden.
Workshops are limited to 20 spots, if you are interested, it is important that you RSVP soon.
For more information visit, www.ggardeningforgood.com
The January 23 workshop is titled "Herb with Healing Properties". It will cover the benefits and uses of essential oils.
The February 26 workshop is titled "Introduction to Beekeeping". Here you will learn why bees are important in your garden.
The March 23 workshop is titled "Starting a Community Garden". This workshop will introduce key concepts in managing a community garden.
Workshops are limited to 20 spots, if you are interested, it is important that you RSVP soon.
For more information visit, www.ggardeningforgood.com
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Community Garden Grant
The National Recreation and Parks Association has developed a "Grow Your Park-Community Garden" grant.
NRPA is pleased to announce funding from the Darden Restaurants Foundation to make available grants for community gardens that benefit low-income families. Grants will range from $2,500 to $7,500 and may be used to build/expand community garden facilities or programs that result in the donation of produce.
*Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, February 6.*
Find more information at: http://www.nrpa.org/garden/
NRPA is pleased to announce funding from the Darden Restaurants Foundation to make available grants for community gardens that benefit low-income families. Grants will range from $2,500 to $7,500 and may be used to build/expand community garden facilities or programs that result in the donation of produce.
*Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, February 6.*
Find more information at: http://www.nrpa.org/garden/
Friday, January 4, 2013
Bonnie 3rd Grade Cabbage Program
Visit their website for registration and helpful tips and lesson plans!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grant
Lowe's Charitable & Educational Foundation is continuing to help better schools and communities by offering their Toolbox for Education grant again this year. Eligible applicants may request up to $5,000 to use on projects that will enhance a facility or would benefit landscaping and clean up. They encourage parental involvement on these projects in order to build a stronger community. Projects must be completed up to 1 year from date received. To see if you are eligible to apply and for the application visit their website.
Deadline is February 15, 2013
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