Louisiana 4-H Seeds of Service School Gardening Grant
To grow kids by igniting a passion for learning, success and service through a unique gardening education.
The Louisiana 4-H Seeds for Service School Garden Program is an interdisciplinary approach designed to educate youth while they serve their community. In this outdoor classroom, youth apply math, reading, writing and science to a “real-world” setting. The project provides an opportunity to link between service and learning through an outdoor classroom. The major objective of the program is to teach youth about environmental stewardship and scientific principles while getting connected to and serving the community.
Partnering with the LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development Program and the Master Gardener Program, 10 schools from across the state in high-poverty areas are making subject matter come alive through school gardens. More than 875 youth will be involved in elementary schools, including Sacred Heart Elementary School from Moreauville (Avoyelles); Ingersoll Elementary School in Shreveport (Caddo); Ralph Wilson Elementary School in Lake Charles (Calcasieu); Dorseyville Elementary School in White Castle (Iberville); and Cypress Cove in Slidell (St. Tammany). Start Elementary and Middle School (Richland) will participate. Carencro Middle School (Lafayette) will collaborate with the industrial arts program. Partnering with local ag teachers and FFA chapters, Beauregard Alternative School in DeRidder will involve youth in sixth through twelve grades, and Evangeline Central in Ville Platte will involve sophomores through seniors. In Orleans, Warren Easton High School will involve their students in the school garden project.
With support from the grant, each site has received an educational curriculum kit that includes curriculum, gardening books, garden accessories, a service-learning guide and reflection aids. Aligned with the academic goals, the garden accessories include items such as measuring tools, temperature gauges, insect traps, gloves and rainfall monitors. The curriculum kits vary based on grade level and academic and service goals. Each site received marketing materials with all the organizations' logos. These items included signs for the garden area plus one for the classroom as well as work aprons to ensure the youth say clean. Each site received a mini grant to support its unique garden needs.
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