Growing School Gardens

For any questions or requests about the content on this page, contact Kristine Hahn.

Community Food Systems Programs

There are many opportunities for individuals, organizations, schools, educators, and administrators to get involved with community food systems. Check out a program to learn more. 

Virtual School Garden Education Series 

Due to the positive response to our Virtual School Garden Education series earlier this Spring we are now offering a similar free Fall 2020 Virtual School Garden Education series. The target audience for this series is formal and informal educators including school and community garden organizers.  This series of four interactive, educational garden sessions will be held every other Wednesday starting October 7 through November 18, 2020 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. By registering for the entire series, you will be able to attend each session using the same link, and we have applied for SCECH credits for these sessions.

Wednesday, October 7 at 4:00 pm:  Seed Saving with Bevin Cohen of Small House Farms.  Join author, seed farmer and founder of Michigan Seed Library Bevin Cohen as he shares the importance of saving our garden seeds, sharing their stories, and giving the gift of seed to others. See how easy and rewarding it can be for gardeners and youth to collect and save seeds to create their own local seed bank. Learn the basics of this traditional skill and start saving seeds from your own gardens.  

Wednesday, October 21 at 4:00 pm:  Indigenous Gardening with Dr. Nichole Biber of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa.  Nichole has been an organic gardener for more than 20 years, is a mother of three, a public elementary school librarian, and an activist for environmental justice and a jingle dress dancer.  Learn about Three Sisters, indigenous gardening methods and native foodways in this engaging session. 

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 4:00 pm: Interesting Plant Experiments that Engage Kids with Dr. Norm Lownds, Director 4-H Children’s Garden, MSU.  Join Dr. Norm as he demonstrates how to involve students in fun experiments that connect them to important plant science concepts.  

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 4:00 pm:  Engaging Community Partners with the 2nd grade Teaching Team at Parkview Elementary, Novi, MI.  Learn how these teachers gained the involvement and support of significant local partners for their school garden.

Register to participate in the series here:

https://msu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYudOmurz0rH9MuTfYXa93q4u0hmUAI6LrF

Please contact Kristine Hahn (hahnk@msu.edu) with any questions.

Teacher Professional Development

Deliver gardening skills presentations and curriculum connected garden activities for teachers and paraprofessionals.

Sign-up for the Michigan Farm to School Newsletter here: http://foodsystems.msu.edu/our-work/farm_to_school/

 

Educational Programs

  • 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).