6.9.26 A Remarkable number of garden lessons • Garden Parties start next week • Farm Camp filling up
| 491 Garden Lessons Over 2,800 students discovered the magic of nature and growth in garden lessons during April and May. Our 5 educators inspired awe and wonder in a remarkable 491 spring lessons! The hard working School District of La Crosse buildings and grounds crew installed 18 new garden beds. Countless moments of pride, excitement, awe, first tastes, learning and wonder filled the gardens this spring! Students across La Crosse and La Crescent had multiple opportunities to put their hands in the soil, investigate decomposers, plant seeds and taste fresh produce in their own school garden. Classroom teachers at every school made a point to express how important and loved these nature breaks were to the students who were dealing with the rigors of spring testing, end of the year activities and classroom work. We fit a lot into each lesson. The engagement and joy students bring to the garden makes it clear – every moment counts.     Calling All Who Love School Gardens Our team will be caring for NINE school gardens this summer. We are looking for individuals, families or groups (think 4-H clubs, Scout groups, youth groups, Lions Clubs, etc.) to adopt a garden for a day, a week or the summer, to help lighten the load. Here’s what you need to know: 1. The GROW team will provide an orientation to volunteers of any skill level to learn where the water source, tools and supplies are at the garden to get you started. 2. Volunteers get a weekly email with details to help guide your work… will it be extra hot, so the plants need extra water…. will it rain, so we need to focus on weeds… The email will be your guide, and our staff is always ready to support any questions volunteers have. 3. Each garden has an online sign up, so you can choose the dates and times that work for you! The goal is to have someone in each garden every other day. 4. Volunteers make an incredible difference in our ability to grow, harvest and educate in school gardens, whether you can help a little or a lot we are SO grateful for you. 5. Sign up on our Volunteer Interest form to get started: GROWLaCrosse.org/volunteer-2/   Farm Camp Spots Filling Fast Now that school has been out for a few days, are you asking yourself how to keep the kids off of screens and active day after day? We have the answer for July 14th, 15th and 16th. Sign up for Farm Camp! Each afternoon of this three day camp students will have the opportunity to tend to animals, garden, hike, create and explore on an organic family farm in the beautiful valley of the Driftless Region. Students entering 2nd through 8th grade will learn about the ecosystem, how food grows and how to be stewards of the earth while enjoying the outdoors completely unplugged.   Make a positive impact – support garden-based learning today! |