school gardens! with - iowa state university · 2017-02-28 · school gardens + cooking lessons...

School Gardens! with

Introductions

Andrew Blair, Waukon

Regan O’Hanlon, Ottumwa

Session Agenda - Where we’re going

● Why School Gardens?● Stories from service: Waukon and Ottumwa ● Garden Produce Safety ● Lesson Demo and Small Group Discussions ● Resources and Questions

Why school gardens?

Hillis School Garden in Des Moines, IA

Improved academic performance

Increased consumption of vegetables and fruits by

students and their parents

Improved student behavior

Why school gardens? (besides this!)Improved academic performance

2013 report, Review of Educational Research:Garden-based learning →

1. Direct academic outcomes for science, language arts, and math

2. Improvements in social development, their sense of self-esteem, and ability to work in groups

2010 report, Journal of Environmental EducationSchool Gardens →

1. Academic outcomes in science, math, and social studies

2. Increased critical thinking skills

Spring green harvest at Family Garden Club, Des Moines

Why school gardens? (besides this!)Increased consumption of vegetables and fruits by students & their parents // health outcomes

2015 research article, School Health “School Garden Enhance Academic Performance

and Dietary Outcomes for Children”

2012 study, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsSchool gardens + cooking lessons

2012 study, Journal of Nutrition Education and BehaviorSchool-based kitchen garden program →

more veggies in home purchasing, too

Late summer melon ‘harvest’ at Hillis, Des Moines

Why school gardens? (besides this!)

Improved student behavior

2005 study, HortTechnology JournalGarden Program → Interpersonal & cooperative skills

2004 study, Human-Environment Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois

Engagement in nature → Reduced symptoms of ADD

2002 study, Nature Nurtures: Investigating the Potential of School Grounds

Increased teacher’s enthusiasm for work!

“Putting the Garden to Bed” at Hillis, Des Moines

The research shows...SCHOOL GARDENS WORK!

Stories From service

Stories From service: Waukon, IA

Stories From service: Waukon, IA

Food Safety In The Garden● Keep it Simple

● Get District Approval

● Work With Cafeteria Staff

● Wash - hands, produce

● Sanitize - containers, surfaces, utensils

● Store - unused produce safely, give instructions to students and families that consume produce from the garden

Lesson Demo - Planting seeds for food and moreHorticultural Therapy for...

● Motor skills● Balance● Observation● Experimentation● Systems Thinking

Small Group discussions (10 minutes)Find a table and a topic:

■ How to get a garden started at your school/site■ School garden sustainability - engaging teachers■ Community partnerships and fundraising ■ Gardening in the summer/school is out■ Curriculum connections

Share out your highlights and ideas!

Resources and Questions Extension Connections: ● Master Gardeners● School Garden 101

Iowa Farm to School Toolkit● Hosted on Dept of Public Health website

FoodCorps service members!

Thank you! Let’s keep connecting:Regan O’Hanlonregan.ohanlon@foodcorps.org

Andrew Blairandrew.blair@foodcorps.org

Follow us on Facebook! @FoodCorpsIowa