9.17.25 Curious Minds in The Gardens
| Curious Minds in the Gardens Just a few weeks into the school year and we have already had nearly 1800 students participate in their first garden lesson of the season. We continue the lesson theme started in the spring when students helped to plant their gardens. The theme is “GROWing Curious Minds: Where does our food come from, how do we prepare it and how do we access it in our community? In their first lesson this fall we dug into the science of garden families. We explored how scientist put plants and animals into categories then put our skills to the test by looking for plants of the same families in the garden. Many students also sampled fresh garden produce to investigate flavors, textures and smells in the garden.     Can you Sponsor a Student… Class… or Whole Garden? As we embark on another school year of empowering youth through hands-on experiences with healthy food and nature, we invite you to join us in our mission. Every child deserves access to nutritious food and a connection to nature. Involving youth in every step from seed to table, empowers them to make informed and nutritious choices. That’s why we offer hands-on learning opportunities like garden lessons, farm visits, greenhouse tours, Kids Cooking Challenges, and summer garden programs. Last year, our programming engaged over 4,000 youth in the Coulee Region in learning about how healthy food is grown, and how they can access and choose to eat it. Your support can help us continue to make these meaningful and lasting experiences a reality for students. We are looking for individuals who can sponsor a student, class or school for the 2025-26 school garden lesson and growing season. A gift of just $5 provides one student with a garden lesson. Consider the multiplying effect of gifting dollars to provide lessons to a class or even a whole school! Your gift will give local youth opportunities to lead the way to a healthier future.Click to donate today! Thank You Kujak Orthodontics Kujak Orthodontics has generously supported GROW’s garden education for years as one of our Sustaining Partners. With their multi year commitment to sponsor two school gardens thousands of children have had access to impactful, hands-on, earth to table experiences. We want to send out a “Huge Thank You” to the Kujak Team for all they do to bring healthy smiles to the gardens and the community!  Al’s Musky Challenge We are thrilled to have been selected as one of the organizations that will benefit from the 2025 Al’s Musky Challenge! This year marks the 7th Annual Musky Challenge. From June through early October, Rotarian Al Louis will be fishing Lake Vermilion in Northern Minnesota. This year, he will fish with his fishing partners, both named A.J., as well as multiple sponsor guests and fellow Rotarians. Al is challenging fellow Rotarians and community members to contribute to the annual event by a flat dollar pledge or a pledge per fish caught in the boat. The funds raised this year will be split between GROW, Big Brothers Big Sisters of La Crosse and the La Crosse Community Theater. In six years of fundraising, Al has raised nearly $1 million. The funds have consistently supported programs and organizations that serve children throughout the Coulee Region.You can learn more or make a donation by following this link.  |
| Make a positive impact – support garden-based learning today! |