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Gardens

Why is a School Garden Important?

The Congdon Park Community Garden fosters stewardship among students, teachers and community. Our students will learn cross-curricular content from sciences to the arts through best teaching practices and hands on learning. Students will also gain an understanding of nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

A picture of raised flower beds with lush green plants growing in them.

Research Shows School Gardens Provide:

  • Experiential, cross-curricular outdoor learning for students and opportunities for community collaborations.
  • Garden programs are living laboratories and enhance academic achievement
  • Children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fresh fruits & vegetables and express a preference for these foods.
  • Students who participate in school garden projects work well in groups and are physically active.

We have a Congdon School Community Garden FACEBOOK PAGE.

Gardens provide great avenues for education on healthy lifestyles and the prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Gardens are also living laboratories, offering hands-on experiences tied to Minnesota State Standards. A school garden committee consisting of teachers, the principal and Environmental Concerns members developed the Garden  

The Congdon Park Community Garden will foster stewardship among students, teachers and community. Our students will learn cross-curricular content from sciences to the arts through best teaching practices and hands on learning. Students will also gain an understanding of nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Our Mission

The Congdon School Garden is for students to learn how to grow, harvest and prepare healthy foods. We will explore healthy food in the garden, classroom, cafeteria, and community.

Goals

  • Provide kids with enriching, cross-curricular, hands-on outdoor learning experiences.
  • Utilize the garden to support standards-based learning.
  • Increase the use of the existing Outdoor Classroom upon returning to renovated school.
  • Raise students' interest in healthy foods and willingness to try new fresh foods.
  • Engage students in the planning, growing and harvesting of fresh produce.
  • Cultivate ecologically, socially and sustainable-minded citizens.

Objectives

  • Provide 3 school-wide garden events
  • Offer 3 school-wide cafeteria Taste-Testing days & 3 classroom Testings
  • Develop and teach at least 3 engaging K-2 lessons per grade that utilize the garden and are tied to Minnesota State Standards
  • Engage at least 75 K-2 students in the planning, growing and harvesting of fresh produce
  • Provide 6 school wide Taste-Test or Garden Events impacting over 500 students Outcomes
  • More kids will incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet.
  • 75% of the students will be more likely to try new foods by the third taste-test day
  • 90% of participating K-2 students will increase their understanding of good nutrition and the origin of fresh food
  • To increase teacher garden participation by 100% after the pilot project.
  • At least 100% increase in student participation with garden planning, growing and harvesting the second year of the projectThe outcomes will be measured by a pre and post student survey, reduction in food waste, and lesson evaluations.