You’re invited to participate in our School Garden Mentorship program!
From January to October 2022, Farm to School BC is offering a free mentorship program for K-12 educators in BC who are in the initial stages of creating a school garden or are revitalizing an existing school garden.
Using a Train the Trainer model, this mentorship program will provide valuable skills for school-based coordination that supports both the development of a robust school garden community and tips for garden maintenance.
This program includes monthly after-school online workshops facilitated by Farm to School BC staff who have a wealth of experience supporting school gardens. Each workshop is designed to build off previous workshops, however, participants can sign up for as many sessions as they like.
Each workshop will include the following components:
- An educational presentation by Farm to School BC staff
- Regional breakout rooms for discussion and reflection
- Project planning resources to support your school garden team, accessible through a member portal
- Profile of an inspiring school garden
- An activity you can do with your class in the garden
Along with monthly workshops, educators are invited to join our online school garden discussion group. This online community will be a place to network, share resources, ask questions, and celebrate successes with other educators across BC interested in school gardens. Join the online community here.
Join our mailing list to receive updates about the School Garden Mentorship Program including upcoming webinars and resources.
Setting up your School Garden Committee
When: Tuesday, January 18
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM
- How to create a garden committee
- Building and sustaining your team
- Setting goals
- Defining roles of team
- Including diverse voices on your team
- Creating a supportive school food environment
- Getting PAC and school administration on board
- Tips on sharing your successes
Designing your School Garden and Crop Planning
When: Tuesday, February 15
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM
- Crop planning tools
- Project design – buying seeds, irrigation, raised beds, etc.
- How to engage your class with the garden
- Spotlight on an Indigenous garden
Indoor Planting and Growing Seedlings
When: Tuesday, March 15
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM
- Early spring planting
- Starting seedlings and building grow station
- Engaging the school community
- Building the beds, greenhouse, and other infrastructure
Building and Preparing the Garden
When: Tuesday, April 19
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM
- Preparing garden beds
- Planning your seeding
- Develop a harvest schedule
- Engaging the school community
Outdoor Planting and Planting in the Garden
When: Tuesday, May 17
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM
- Spring planting outdoors
- Engaging volunteers for summer maintenance
Summer Maintenance and Long-Term Sustainability
When: Tuesday, June 14
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM
- Summer Maintenance Guide
- Assessment of needs (what/who)
- Team Review of progress (tips)
- Supporting the program through staff turnover
- Maintain curriculum
- Funding needs
- Planning for the next school year
Harvesting and Clean Up
When: Fall 2022
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM
- Harvesting
- Seed saving
- Garden clean up/preparing for next year
- Review of the garden committee structure
- Grant reporting
School Garden Support Resources
- School Garden Crop Planning Guide
- Lesson Plan: Saving Garden Seeds
- School Garden Summer Maintenance Guide
- Connecting to the Curriculum: Elementary (Gr.K-7)
- Connecting to the Curriculum: Secondary (Gr.8-12)
