CHESTER COUNTY FAMILY ACADEMY- Nature's Abundance School Garden Program

Nature’s Abundance Garden Program (created by Anne Stabb) was started in 2014 as a pilot program at Chester County Family Academy (CCFA), West Chester, PA.  With the support of the CEO, the Chester County Food Bank, and myself, we were able to provide hands on gardening lessons as well as fresh fruit and vegetables to low come income children and their families.

We wish to move forward to make this a permanent part of the curriculum.  Last year, I applied for and received grant money from the National Farm to School Network and Whole/Kids Foundation which has helped us to achieve this goal by providing a small compensation for the Garden Coordinator as well as funding for materials, activities and field trips.

In addition, during winter months, I have been offering indoor garden activities using our lighted grow stand.  My plans  have included growing herbs which will be used for tasting as well as other growing and nutrition based activities. 

Furthermore, we are located directly next door to a senior center where I have offered and will continue to offer inter-generational garden programming for the seniors (Grandparent's Club) and the children. 

My goal is to continuously expand the program and have as much community involvement as possible.  I personally have completed a two part School Garden Coordinator Certificate Program at Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, PA).  This additional training has helped me to plan and implement a variety of activities throughout the school year, one hour a week for 34 weeks.  The program will continue long-term into the future of CCFA.

Another goal will include preparing and feasting on fresh foods that we have grown or received from the Chester County Food Bank.  (Our garden is on a very small scale.  I currently have 4 containers on wheels but I hope have raised beds in the near future.)

We will instruct the students, families and Senior Center Community (Grandparent’s Club) with the following information:

• Good, nutritious food comes from the earth and not a can or box from the store.  
• The children at CCFA are offered three free meals daily.  We hope to encourage a greater appreciation for these wholesome meals.
• We hope to encourage the picky eater (of all ages) to become more adventurous by developing relationships with the healthy foods (through growing our own and purchasing when necessary).
• While our list of ideas continues to “grow”, the idea of an “outdoor classroom” environment was on our wishlist and has been recently granted!

Nature’s Abundance Garden Program Mission Statement

1. To inspire, motivate, and empower children and their families to grow their own food sources and to learn about healthy eating and living.

2.  To spread the joy of gardening.

3.  To demonstrate that anything is possible, especially in nature.

4.  To work with integrity and passion at all times and exhibit those qualities in the classroom environment

5. To remain humble and grateful no matter what successes come my way and to teach this to the children as well

6. To transform the educational system and bring about more of an awareness regarding school garden programs

7. To give energy daily in positive, productive ways 

8. To apply daily the Universal Laws of abundance and to pass that knowledge to children and their families