Guilford County School Garden Network
Learning Garden Highlight
Students age 2 through 8th grade investigated worms and composting!
High Point Friends School Plans School-wide Composting Initiative

High Point Friends School is starting a school-wide composting initiative. This year, the school hopes to start collecting compostable food scraps from classroom snacks and lunchtime in the cafeteria, and develop a student-led project for creating and stewarding an outdoor compost pile. To kick off the project, they invited Extension Master Gardener Dottie Brogdon and Extension Agent Quina Weber-Shirk to lead composting education with all students and teachers -- from the 2 year olds on up through the 8th graders. 

Upcoming Opportunities
Seeds to Share

 

Saturday, February 1, 10am-12pm at NC Cooperative Extension Guilford County 

Saturday, February 8, 10am-12pm at the High Point Public Library

 

Free seeds for community and school gardens! Gardening experts will be available to answer questions. Do you collect seeds? Bring seeds form last year to share!

Note: Seeds to Share is not a public event  open to everyone; it is only for those involved in community gardens and school gardens. We ask that the event only be shared directly with individuals and groups who are part of, or starting, school gardens or community gardens (specific email listservs, private social media groups, word of mouth, etc.). 

Free Webinar:  Classroom Management in the Garden
 
Tuesday, January 28th 3-4pm EST, Link to Register 

Employing solid classroom management techniques is a key factor for educational success. In this webinar, we will explore classroom management strategies specifically in the garden setting and the importance they play in creating a successful and sustainable school garden program. Topics covered will include how to create consistent routines, organize equipment, involve volunteers, utilize garden stations, and more! This webinar is a part of the School Garden Support Organization (SGSO) Network.  Stay tuned for future webinars from members of the network!
This Month In the Garden
Plan your garden!
January and early February are the ideal time to dream and plan for spring planting.  With the right tools, students of all ages can be central to the decision-making process about what and how much to plant in your school garden. This planning process requires students to closely read text for information, do a little math, and employ a lot of creativity!

What to plant?

How much?
Resource: Online Kitchen Garden Planner
Lesson: Square Foot Garden Map (p. 87, School Garden Lesson Plans by Whole Kids Foundation)

RESOURCES

GRANTS: View an updated list of grants available locally and nationally to school and youth gardens in Guilford County. 
  • Gro More Good Grassroots Grant, now - Feb 14
  • ecoSolution Grant, now - Jan. 15
  • ecoSTEM Resource Kits, now - Jan. 15
  • ecoTECH Grant, now - Jan. 15
  • Carton2Garden Contest, now - April 1
VOLUNTEERS:
To request volunteers, fill out a  School Garden Volunteer Request Form HERE .
If you have any questions, or get stuck, email:  Quina Weber-Shirk
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.

The Guilford County School Garden Network brings together community stakeholders to create and sustain school gardens in Guilford County.