South Bay School Garden Alliance - 4/2/2015
This project is a proposal initiated by Monica B., the Education Programs Coordinator of Veggielution Community Farm.
In collaboration with other nonprofit organizations and schools in support of school garden programs, Veggielution Community Farm seeks to create a network of school gardeners in the city of San Jose. This network would serve as a school garden regional support by providing resources, networking opportunities, and trainings to promote the sustainability of school gardens throughout San Jose.
Outcomes/Benefits of a School Garden Network:
It is exciting to see communities in San Jose recognizing the impact that school gardens can have on students and the entire school community. As a result, there are many schools and nonprofit organizations starting gardens in this area for a variety of reasons. Increasing student preference to healthy foods, emphasizing environmental stewardship, and providing a space for experiential learning are just a few of the motivations, and many schools even hope to one day grow produce for use in their own cafeteria . Although the intention to start thriving garden programs exists initially, over time it can become difficult for schools and nonprofit organizations to maintain these intentions.
Some consistent challenges that seem to deter the sustainability of a school garden and lead to “school garden graveyards” are as listed: lack of funding, finding and sustaining a “garden champion,” lack of networking and communication in the school community, maintenance, summer break, and the reality that teachers already have too much on their plates.
The goal of a school garden network is to bring together school gardeners of a specific region to alleviate some of the difficulties and work through challenges in the community together, while using best practices. Creating a physical space for school gardeners in the region to come together to discuss challenges and best practices will provide support for South Bay school gardens on many levels, and may increase the sustainability of school garden programs.
Proposed Committee Structure: The South Bay School Garden Network will run on a preselected committee the first year, and then through a voted in committee of school gardeners in the following years. During the first year, I propose that only the Management and Workshop Committees exist. As the SBSGN community grows, the Tour Committee and Treasurer/Fundraising Committee can be created.
Management Committee: Management committee/board members have ultimate responsibility for directing the activity of the organization, ensuring it is well run and delivering the outcomes for which it has been set up. Management committee will set up and facilitate quarterly meetings including (securing location, sending invitations, correspondence with participants, setting up and creating a website maybe, or we can see if we can utilize the Collective School Garden Network for California email addresses for each committee, and any other logistics). The Management Committee will also maintain close relations with school districts, to ensure that our goals are aligned and we are helping to meet schools’ needs.
Workshop Committee: Will decide topics (using poll of larger San Jose School Garden Network) and facilitate workshops during quarterly meetings, preferably not workshops offered by Life Lab, such as discussion groups, resources shares, etc.
School Garden Regional Tour Committee: Will organize a yearly San Jose School Garden Tour for San Jose School Garden Network members and general public
Treasurer/Fundraising Committee: Will look for grants for South Bay School Garden Network, and organize an annual fundraiser of some sort. All revenue generated willsupport the maintenance of the network.
Needs Assessment: Before beginning to recruit school gardeners and community partners to participate in the South Bay School Garden Network, it is important to assess this specific community’s needs for such a structured organization. I propose that a needs assessment survey is distributed and administered to South Bay school gardeners, community organizations (including schools). Questions in the survey will address the school garden program structure, funding sources, perception regarding support or lack thereof, and the need for a South Bay School Garden Network.
Proposed Sequence of Events:
· Identify all school gardens in San Jose region In progress
· Identify all community partners and nonprofits working with school gardens in San Jose region In progress
· Administer needs assessment to all school gardens and community partners/nonprofits
· Collect data and generate report based on needs assessment
· Based on data results, begin identifying management committee and workshop committee members
· Begin planning first meeting and discuss creative ways of outreaching
· At first meeting, be sure to share proposed structure of the South Bay School Garden
· Network and vote on any changes decided by the group
Past Events:
Event: First School Garden Support Spring Meet-up
Date: Thursday, May 14th, 2015
Time: 2pm
Location: Plant Science Center at Veggielution
Details: Meeting minutes below.
Date: Thursday, May 14th, 2015
Time: 2pm
Location: Plant Science Center at Veggielution
Details: Meeting minutes below.