School Gardens

The Waterloo Region School Food Garden project was launched by WRCGN to get more youth involved with gardening so that they may enjoy its many health and educational benefits. The project was initially funded by the Healthy Kids Community Challenge and was created in partnership with the Waterloo Region Community Garden Network (WRCGN), Seeds of Diversity and Region of Waterloo Public Health Emergency Services. It is currently a three year project of Seeds of Diversity funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Twenty-six school food gardens have started since the start of the project!

See their website and YouTube videos to get inspired!

Original research was conducted with the Waterloo Region School Board to develop best practices and recommendations for school gardens in Waterloo Region. The conclusion is that school gardens are a tool for well-being; improving academic outcomes, increasing physical activity, reducing stress and increasing a sense of school community. To find out more, please read Gardens for Healthy Schools: a Scan of School Gardens in Waterloo Region.

Other Helpful Resources:

A Guide to Growing Schools in Alberta
BC’s Healthy Eating at School
Evergreen School Visits
Farm to Cafeteria
Farm to School Projects.
GreenHeart Education
Guide to School Gardens Durham
Healthy Schools BC
Jardinons a L’Ecole – Garden in French
Little Green Thumbs – Resources Saskatoon
Ministry of Agriculture’s local food funds
Nutrients for Life, Nutrients for the Mind Alberta
The Ontario Edible Education Network
Whole Kids Foundation

American:

Agriculture in the Classroom California Foundation for Database of Teaching Resources
Gardens for Learning California School Garden Network
KidsGardening Educator Resources
Life Lab California
New York City school’s Grow to Learn and The Citywide School Gardens Initiative
The Edible SchoolYard California
UGA Extension Georgia