Garden-Based Learning Workshop at GCM’s Edible Schoolyard Wows Teachers.

GC Coop Ext School Garden Network brought together a talented group of educators Thursday at the Edible Schoolyard, a perfect venue to learn about teaching in a garden setting.

In addition to providing concurrent sessions in Basic and Established gardening techniques, garden-based lesson plans aligned with the core curriculum was presented in break-out sessions for preK-2, 3-5, and 6-8 grade teachers.

Gardening educators from Running Pine Herb Farm, The Giving Seed, Chef’s Move to Schools, FoodCorps, Greensboro Day School, And Gso Montessori, NC State Extension, Edible Schoolyard Staff, and GC Coop Ext School Garden Network all shared school garden-based information with attending teachers and volunteers.

Some of the 40 attending might argue that the highlight of the evening was the delicious fruit and veggie based dinner donated by Whole Foods Market Friendly Ave. Whole Foods Market also sponsored a drawing for a rain barrel, seeds, and gift cards.

Whole Foods Market at Friendly will host a Grill-out fundraiser for the GC Coop Extension School Garden Network April 12^th noon-5pm. Cynthia Nielsen, the SGN Coordinator for Guilford County says “School gardens are huge in Guilford County. In 2010 we had 15 schools with gardens. Today we are up to 50. Our job is to help school staff use them as outdoor learning centers and make them sustainable”.