JANUARY 21-26, 2018, SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA APPLY BY JULY 20, 2017

ORGANIZATIONS SELECTED TO ATTEND THE INSTITUTE WILL BE NOTIFIED BY AUGUST 18, 2017.

 If you applied last year, and would like a copy of your original responses for reference, please email Sandy Lansdale at [email protected]. Thanks!  

WHAT?

Join School Garden Support Organizations from across the nation for a 5-day Leadership Institute in Santa Cruz, CA to learn from peer organizations and create an organizational action plan for accomplishing some or all of the following in your region:

Training and supporting educators to implement garden-based learning Building and maintaining multiple school gardens Funding school gardens or helping schools to create sustainable funding streams for gardens Facilitating regional networking between school garden educators

Evaluating school garden programs

Institute lodging and food expenses for each team of 2 will be covered in full (double occupancy). Travel to institute to be covered by attendees. Travel scholarships will be available. In exchange for participation in the SGSO Leadership Institute, participants will pledge to provide one or more trainings and networking opportunities for school garden educators in their regions between February and June 2018, report on their progress, and share successes and challenges with a national audience. The leadership institute will take place atMission Springs Conference Center with excursions to exemplary school garden programs.

WHO?

This Leadership Institute is designed for teams of 2 from School Garden Support Organizations (SGSOs). A SGSO may be a nonprofit organization, university, government agency, foundation, school district, or other entity focused specifically on supporting garden-based learning for multiple schools in their region. SGSOs work to elevate the quality and sustainability of school garden programs across their region, serving thousands of children.    Primary SGSO activities are listed above in the “What” section.

Each SGSO is invited to attend will send 2 key leaders to the Institute. We are particularly seeking SGSOs that:

Have been actively supporting school gardens in their region for 8 years or fewer Primarily support elementary school gardens Have a primary focus on providing trainings for garden-based educators in their region, and

Plan to host garden-based professional development for educators between February – June 2018

Why?

School gardens have tremendous lifelong benefits for children. Research has shown that when children participate in a school garden program, they show marked improvement in healthy eating; social emotional skills; environmental attitudes; scientific achievement; and attitudes toward learning (www.lifelab.org/whyschoolgardens).

But school garden programs need support in order to unlock their full potential. Without well-trained educators, strong curriculum, and supportive networks, garden programs often become underutilized or even forgotten. With support, however, they thrive, become institutionalized into school cultures, and inspire children for decades.

Regional School Garden Support Organizations (SGSOs) have emerged as a key determinant in the success of school garden programs across the country. This Institute is designed to provide SGSO leaders with the inspiration and information they need to effectively support school garden programs in their regions, and to share best practices with other SGSOs nationally.

Apply Online by July 20, 2017.

More Info