American Heart AssociationWestern States Affiliate

Teaching Gardens Program Application2014-2015

Overview

The American Heart Association has established an aggressive health impact goal for the year 2020: to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent. To measure the success of the 2020 impact goal, AHA has created health impact measures for children over the age of two in the areas of: smoking, Body Mass Index (BMI), physical activity, diet score, total cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Specifically, to measure a healthy diet score AHA has identified five primary and 3 secondary measures to improve the heart health of the American diet. These measures include: Primary

• Consuming ≥ 4.5 cups of fruits & vegetables per day • Consuming ≥ two 3.5-oz. servings of fish (preferably oily fish) per week • Consuming < 1500 mg of sodium per day • Consuming ≤ 450 kcal (36 oz) of sweets/sugar sweetened beverages per week • Consuming ≥ three 1-oz equivalent servings per day of whole grains

(≥1.1 g fiber / 10 g carbohydrate)

Secondary • Limit consumption of saturated fat to < 7% of total energy intake (kcal) • Consuming ≥ 4 servings per week of nuts, seeds & legumes • Limit consumption of processed meats to ≤ 2 servings per week

To achieve its 2020 goal, the American Heart Association is committed to facilitate a dramatic change in the way Americans eat and think about food. To accomplish this change, the American Heart Association has created the Teaching Gardens program to educate elementary students about the importance of fruits and vegetables, to energize and excite them about produce, and to introduce fresh produce into the diets of students and their families. Participating in the Teaching Gardens program gives schools access to a variety of resources and support to help achieve these goals. The American Heart Association is committed to facilitating your school’s efforts to develop and sustain this program over multiple years.

How Does Teaching Gardens Work?

American Heart Association Teaching Gardens teach children in first through fifth grades how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest produce and ultimately understand the value of good eating habits. Garden-themed lessons teach nutrition, math, science and other subjects – not to mention the fun of getting out in the fresh air and working with your hands. Throughout the program, students celebrate gardening milestones: planting day, harvesting and activities that involve the larger community. Of course, there are also plenty of healthy snacking opportunities.

Teaching Gardens are functional additions to schools. Each Teaching Garden can be as unique as the school community it serves. Whatever the size or location, every garden has the potential to become an integrated part of the community and serve as a tool to explore the world and its possibilities. Teaching Gardens provide wonderful opportunities for team building, leadership development and the joy of learning.

Why School Gardening?

The program is designed to encourage healthy diets in young children and to help combat childhood obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions. Today, nearly one in three childrenand adolescents in the U.S. is overweight or obese. American Heart Association Teaching Gardens make healthy foods fun, and they provide opportunities for children to try and enjoy healthy foods.

American Heart Association Qualifications

School administrators, teachers, parents and students can be assured a positive experience with the American Heart Association. The association offers credibility, scientific expertise and existing relationships across the country, including a nearly 40-year history as a leader in the fields of nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention.

Teaching Gardens Program Support

The American Heart Association will provide the following support to participating schools: A complimentary Teaching Garden kit which includes basic supplies and equipment to

establish and maintain a Teaching Garden Technical support and training to assist with establishing and maintaining the Teaching

Garden A cross-curricular, standards-based gardening and nutrition education curriculum Signage to acknowledge donors that have provided funding for the Teaching Garden

program

School Criteria

The American Heart Association requires any school submitting an application for a Teaching Garden to be able to meet the following criteria. The AHA has piloted Teaching Gardens in several schools and found that schools able and willing to meet these criteria are most successful with establishing, maintaining and sustaining a successful Teaching Garden program.

Administrative, Staff and Volunteer Support Requirements Principal’s support of the program Commitment to maintaining the Teaching Garden for at least three years Designated school-level contact for the program, such as a classroom teacher, faculty

member or staff Release forms distributed to and collected from all participating students Provided gardening and nutrition curriculum integrated into a variety of the school’s

subject area curriculums Maintain required insurance coverage and provide AHA with proof of insurance Recruit a volunteer committee of at least five individuals such as parents, local garden

club representatives, community volunteer leaders, PTA/PTO representatives, school board members

Partner with local businesses and organizations to establish volunteer opportunities and support the Teaching Garden through donations of good/services

Implementation and Space Requirements Build and maintain a Teaching Garden with the help of parent volunteers and community

organizations (see sample School Teaching Garden Map – Appendix 1) Allocate appropriate space (250 to 700 square feet) Locate garden within 100 feet of an external water source Identify and secure ongoing support from volunteers and/or parents to agree to maintain

the Teaching Garden during times when school is not in session Adhere to the suggested timelines for ordering, planting and harvesting the garden

(Teaching Garden Implementation Timeline – Appendix 2) Commit to at least one Plant Day and one Harvest Day per school year Display AHA-provided signage in the garden acknowledging the Teaching Garden sponsor

Reporting Requirments Participate in evaluation activities and share program progress reports with the American

Heart Association as requested Share with the American Heart Association photos, video clips and success stories Review and execute necessary documentation

How to ApplyPlease complete the following by [-]. Be sure to provide all information requested. Incomplete applications will not be processed. If you have specific questions or need assistance, please contact:

Marisa Rodriguez 917-612-4553 MobileTeaching Gardens Manager 213-291-7105 Office Marisa.Rodriguez@heart.org 213-291-7002 Fax

American Heart Association

Western States Affiliate

Teaching Gardens Program Application

Please complete all information. Incomplete applications may be returned.

SECTION 1 – SCHOOL INFORMATION

Date_______________________________

School Name__________________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip__________________________________________________________________

Name of Principal______________________________________________________________

Name of School Contact_________________________________________________________

Title_________________________________________________________________________

Phone _______________________________ Fax___________________________________

Email Address________________________________________________________________

School Website________________________________________________________________

Our school participates in the following AHA programs/events: Jump Rope for Heart Hoops for Heart Go Red For Women CPR Anytime/Be the Beat Other ___________________________________

Our school would like more information about________________________________________

1) Why would your school like a Teaching Garden?

2) How does your school plan to sustain the Teaching Garden beyond the three year program support provided by the American Heart Association?

SECTION 2 – CURRICULUM INTEGRATION

1. CATEGORY (Please check only one and write the number of students that will participate.)

SINGLE CLASS GARDEN (Garden used by one class only) Number of students in class and grade _______________________________________ MULTIPLE CLASS GARDEN (Garden used by more than one class or grade, but not by

entire school) Number of students involved in the garden and grades___________________________ ENTIRE SCHOOL GARDEN (Garden that is used by all grade levels at the school) Number of students involved in the garden and grades___________________________

2. Please mark all the subject area(s) in which you plan to incorporate Teaching Gardens. (Check all that apply.) Math Science Social Studies History

Health/Nutrition Language Arts Music Physical Ed. Environmental Ed. Other___________________________________________

3. Please indicate the percentage of time, on average, that you will use the garden as an

instructional tool in your classroom(s):___________________________________________

4. Please indicate the number of years you plan to use Teaching Gardens in your curriculum: __________ years

5. Please share which other organizations your school is currently partnering with to provide an educational enrichment program?

SECTION 3 – SCHOOL & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Teaching Garden School Champion

Name________________________________________________________________________

Role of School Champion at School (grade taught): __________________________________

Phone ___________________________ Email_____________________________________

The Teaching Garden School Champion will serve as the primary coordinator for the garden at the school. This person is a staff member at the school and will be responsible for implementing the program both in the classroom and garden. The champion will lead/coordinate the activities of the Teaching Gardens Committee (as well as serving as the primary point of contact with the American Heart Association).

Teaching Garden Committee

The Teaching Garden Committee is made up of people from the school and community, including parents. The committee collaborates to identify concerns, set priorities and design solutions in regard to the health environment and opportunities to offer experiential, project-

based learning in the school. The committee will act collectively to establish, maintain and integrate the Teaching Garden into the school community. Members might include representatives from the Parent Teacher Association/Organization, university students, high school students, Garden Club members, 4-H members, etc. Please indicate the names/titles/organizations and/or number of volunteers you have planned to help students in the Teaching Garden.

Number of volunteers ________________

Name Title Organization

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_______________________ ________________________ ____________________________

SECTION 4 – LOCATION

The location of your garden will be critical to the overall success of the program. Please note that the Teaching Gardens are planted in multiple above-ground planter boxes that range from approximately 4x4x3 feet to 8x4x3 feet. Planter boxes are provided to each participating school. No digging on school grounds will be necessary. Your garden should be less than 100 feet from a water faucet and will require about six full hours of sun each day. Slope and soil type affect drainage; avoid picking a location in a low spot where puddles may form.

1. Please attach to this application a digital photo of proposed site locations on your school property. It is recommended that you identify at least three proposed sites for your garden. Label the photos in priority order (1, 2, 3, with 1 being your first choice) and indicate the size of each area.

2. Have you tested the soil of the proposed Teaching Garden site? Yes No

Although most of the crops selected will not have a deep root system, it’s a good idea to test any site you are considering for lead contamination. Contact your county health department or cooperative extension office for information on testing. If your soil is toxic, it will be important to include bottoms for the garden boxes, so the toxins cannot leach into the garden soil.

3. On what type of surface will your garden boxes sit? grass dirt asphalt concrete

4. Does your school have issues with animals in your proposed garden area? If so, what

type of animals? deer rabbits chipmunks moles gophers groundhogs other __________________________

5. How much sunlight do you receive in the proposed garden areas? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Is there a water source less than 100 feet from the proposed garden sites and/or an existing irrigation system? Please describe: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Does your school have special considerations or restrictions when making large deliveries (i.e. time of day, location, office phone number)? The garden soil will likely be delivered in a large truck, so please be as specific as possible with any special instructions for deliveries._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 5 – AUTHORIZATION

On behalf of _____________________________________________________ (school name), we agree to fulfill the roles and responsibilities detailed above. Principal Signature____________________________________________________________

Principal Printed Name __________________________________________________________

Principal Email ________________________________________________________________

Date____________________________

Nothing in this Application Form shall be deemed to be a commitment by the American Heart Association or obligation of American Heart Association funds. The American Heart Association reserves the right to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion in the event that it does not receive continued, sufficient external funding or for any additional reason as decided by AHA.

AHA Use (to be completed by the AHA Staff before turning in to the National Center)

Date Received: ____________________________

Application Complete: Yes No

Reviewed by: ___________________________________

Funding: MHML ( circle one) Part of Platform Individual MHML Other ____________________

Restricted Unrestricted

Funder Name: ____________________________________________________ New Renew

Dollar Amount Provided by the Funder:____________________________________

Number of Plantings Outlined in the Agreement:___________________________________

Dollar Amount of Expenses: __________________________________________

Name of AHA Staff Responsible for Managing the Partnership with the Funder:

_______________________________________________

AHA Staff Responsible for the Teaching Garden Implementation:

__________________________________________________________________