Dan Mills Elementary

Our main goal for the school garden this year is to increase participation and use of the garden by teachers, students, and community members. As our school is a Title I school with a majority of students eligible for free and reduced lunch, it is essential to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables to our students directly. When students are involved in every step of producing food from seed to table, they gain a firsthand knowledge that is lacking in many urban environments. A garden is the ultimate teaching tool, giving students an opportunity for physical activity outdoors while also learning math, science, literacy, social studies, and humanities. Our students will lead the planning, planting, and community outreach efforts through an after school service learning program. This grant would make it possible for our young garden leaders to gain experience managing a budget, and would also provide them with the necessary resources to succeed in this project.