Garden Classrooms

The goal for our Rosa Parks Elementary School garden is to promote environmental education through outdoor learning for youth ages 5-11 years old. Youth develop respect for their garden and the environment through weekly garden classes during the Spring, Summer and/or Fall program sessions. Youth bring science knowledge up to grade-level standards by participating in weekly garden classes during these sessions. Youth also learn teamwork through maintaining these gardens.

We want to use the Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant to:
-Operate the greenhouse, positively impacting both our snack program and curriculum
-Expand the use of our existing Vermiculture Compost System
-Engage inner-city children with urban organic agriculture, increasing their ecological literacy and environmental knowledge
-Break down barriers and empower children to make educated, healthy food choices and integrate fresh produce into their daily experience

The goal of the new edible garden is to give students exposure to healthier food, the process of growing their own fruits and vegetables, being in their natural environment and help them build a greater sense of community within their schoolyard. Set in the east side of Los Angeles, this school garden will help students and the community connect with the neighborhood

This grant will expand our school garden program and allow all students to participate in getting grubby, growing their own food, and sharing it with our school community. It will also:
-- make existing beds herbivore proof
-- build two new beds
-- purchase a tower unit to grow plants hydroponically
-- create a passion fruit vine along the back fence
-- develop our garden area into an inviting outdoor classroom
-- grow enough produce for school snack and community give-away