Sharing Our Guilford County School Gardens

IRVING PARK ELEMENTARY’S GARDEN DEDICATION OCTOBER 1^ST

It’s hard to believe that just last February the school garden at Irving Park was just a twinkle in the eyes of parents, teachers and the principal of this diverse campus serving 684 students. We discussed the fact that there had been gardens at the school years ago and how they would need to create a SUSTAINABLE garden for future generations.

 By-in on the part of all stakeholders, adequate training and support, and processes to ensure transfer of knowledge and support to next generations of parents and new teachers are all essential. 

             

A core group of teachers and parents attended our Garden Based Learning workshop at Edible Schoolyard in the spring.  The networking that goes on at these workshops is so valuable. This is where Dana Davis, a parent and a key member of the Gardening Committee at IPE, met Keith Gardener who heads up the Chefs Move to Schools program in Guilford County.

     

Keith and his group of GTCC Culinary School students provided an amazing “Eating the Rainbow” experience for ALL of the IPE students all morning long! Chefs Move to Schools is available to any school in Guilford County who would like to sign up http://www.chefsmovetoschools.org/.

                        

The support and optimism for garden and nutrition based learning at Irving Park Elementary is wonderful to see. Such a celebration makes it very clear to students that these things are valued by their teachers, principal, and parents!

Cynthia Nielsen

GCCE School Garden Network Coordinator