Seedleaf
Making gardens educational
History
Seedleaf began in 2007
- 13 Community gardens
- Compost Carpool
- Compost Partners
- 4 educational programs
- Market Garden Program
- SEEDS
- Compost 101 Series
- Civic gardener training
Seedleaf's work with K-12
- Afterschool programs
- school garden construction
- educational programming with classes
- SEEDS
- Work with LFUCG SYEP program
What is the point of having kids in gardens??
Hint: It is not to make them world class gardeners
Why?
- The idea of childhood has changed.
- Up until age 8, youth are developing fine motor skills.
- Youth are still building foundational knowledge about the world and 'common sense'.
- Many children, particularly late Elementary-Highschool have trouble being outside.
- it's hot
- it's buggy
- it's physical
Goals
1. Sow an appreciation of the natural world.
2. Demolish the 'Emerald Tower.'
3. Get young people thinking about community engagement and positive change.
4. Encourage team work and creative problem solving.
5. Healthy living possibilities.
6. Play
Problem solving
Garden installation at SCAPA
Healthy Lifestyle
We use the garden as an entry point into discussing food, physical activity and emotional welbeing.
Wonder about the natural world
Special Needs class from Tates Creek Highschool
It is important to play!
Hike at Raven's Run
Community Engagement
Neighborhood and city change through a change of landscape and meeting difference.
The responsibility of Care and reciprocity
How can school gardens be used for meaningful education experiences?
- There has to be a champion who cares for the space year round.
- Link the gardens to student lives in real and tangible ways.
- Curriculum needs to be structured in such a way that students are returning throughout semester/school year to the garden
- Go beyond thinking of the garden as simply a space of productivity. MAKE THEM FUN!
Thank you!
Questions?
