Public Health Association of BC

School Garden Mentorship Program

You’re invited to participate in our School Garden Mentorship program! 

–Stay tuned for updates to our 2023 schedule!–

From January to October 2022, Farm to School BC offered 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. See the list of workshops below.

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

Join an online community

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

Stay up to date

Join our mailing list to receive updates about the School Garden Mentorship Program including upcoming webinars and resources.

Stay up to date

Workshops

Click on each of the workshops below to register and save your spot for each session!

Please note that the content of the workshops might shift as they progress, so check back on this page to confirm what topics will be discussed next.

Establishing a School Garden Culture
When: Tuesday, January 18
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM

  • How to create a garden committee
  • Setting goals together
  • Defining roles of your team
  • The benefits of community buy-in

Watch the recording here

 

Designing Your School Garden
When: Tuesday, February 15
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM

  • Setting garden design goals for success and inspiration
  • Navigating school garden policy and regulations
  • Engaging your class with the garden design
  • Guest speaker: Aaren Topley

Watch the recording here

 

Crop Planning
When: Tuesday, March 8
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM

  • Crop planning with your class
  • Guest speaker: Megan Zeni

Watch the recording here

 

Classroom Growing
When: Tuesday, April 5
Time: 3:15-4:00 PM

  • Starting seedlings
  • Building a grow station in your classroom
  • Fundraising with seedlings

Watch the recording here

 

Building and Preparing the Garden
When: Tuesday, April 19
Time: 3:15-4:45 PM

  • Building and installing garden beds
  • Early spring planting tips
  • Considering perennials in your garden
  • Using tools in the garden – best practices and maintenance
  • Community engagement

Watch the recording here

 

Outdoor Planting and Volunteer Management
When: Tuesday, May 17
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM

  • Spring planting outdoors
  • Engaging volunteers for summer maintenance
  • Hosting a garden tour
  • Signage in the garden
  • Deterring theft and vandalism

Watch the recording here

Summer Maintenance and Long-Term Sustainability
When: Tuesday, June 7
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM

  • Summer Maintenance Guide
  • Supporting the program through staff turnover
  • Planning for the next school year
  • Team reflection – assessing your process

Watch the recording here

Summer Garden Check-in – July
When: Tuesday, July 12
Time: 10-11 AM

  • Garden check-in
  • Talk to a farmer / master gardener
  • Back to school planning – Fall harvest
  • Share photos and videos
  • More!

Watch the recording here

Summer Garden Check-in – August
When: Tuesday, August 23
Time: 10-11 AM

  • Garden check-in
  • Talk to a farmer / master gardener
  • Back to school planning – Fall harvest
  • Share photos and videos
  • More!

Watch the recording here

Harvesting and Seed Saving
When: Tuesday, September 20
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM

  • Harvesting tips 
  • Seed saving with students
  • Hosting a harvest party
  • Harvest recipes
  • Celebrating and sharing your success

Watch the recording here

Winterizing Your Garden and Planning
When: Tuesday, October 18
Time: 3:15-4:30 PM

  • Four-season gardening options
  • Winterizing your garden
  • Grant reporting and season reflection
  • Fundraising

Watch the recording here!

 

School Garden Support Resources