School gardens: The new “in” thing for schools

Dixie Sandborn<dixie@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Research is proving the value of school gardens in and out of the classroom. Join us March 11-12, 2016, for a training that features a new curriculum to use in schools and other programs.

The Michigan 4-H Children's Garden is located on the campus of Michigan State University.
The Michigan 4-H Children's Garden is located on the campus of Michigan State University.

While school gardens were once thought of as an “extra” busy activity and only for schools in warm climates, today they are in the mainstream. Research is demonstrating that, among other things, schools are using gardens in creative ways to improve academic test scores in science, math, social studies and art. Other benefits school gardens provide to students include:

According to “Benefits of School-Based Community Gardens,” a resource of Denver Urban Gardens, school garden programs have a positive effect not only on students, but also on school staff, families and communities. Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden are eager to embrace this innovative trend and work with Michigan State University Extension county staff, schools and partners to share the research behind this growing movement, inform others about tried and true best practices and introduce new, exciting programs.

One of these new programs is Texas A&M University’s Learn, Grow, Eat and Go program. Learn, Grow, Eat and Go is the new research- and evidence-based curriculum project of the International Junior Master Gardener Program. It is an interdisciplinary program that combines academic achievement, gardening, nutrient-dense food experiences, physical activity and school and family engagement.

Join us March 11-12, 2016, at the Kettunen Center for a special, fun-filled, information-packed training for Extension staff, teachers and volunteers that features the Learn, Grow, Eat and Go curriculum to use in schools, afterschool programs and 4-H and partner programs. Find out more about this exciting new program and the training from your local 4-H staff, or contact me at dixie@msu.edu.

Additional information about the benefits of school gardens is available from:

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

Find your spark with image of 4-H clover.

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • 4-h,
  • 4-h environmental & outdoor education,
  • community gardening,
  • community service & service learning,
  • environmental & outdoor education,
  • lawn & garden,
  • msu extension,
  • volunteering & mentoring
  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).