Benefits of School, Residential, and Community Gardens

-Gardens offer the opportunity to enhance learning across all curriculum (health, science, geography, math, art, and beyond) with hands on learning. -An interdisciplinary approach to learning cultivates the strengths and skills of participants while empowering everyone involved to collaborate, cooperate, observe, and create. A garden is a place where everybody can be a teacher and where everybody can be a student regardless of age and life experience. - articipants can experience a deeper understanding of natural systems and gain valuable lifelong skills while growing and planning something from seed to finish in a living and ever changing, natural environment. -Gardens offer the perfect environment to gain knowledge and practical skills regarding nutrition and sustainability. articipants can also gain understanding and practical skills regarding the food growing economy. -!aking a hands on, tangible connection with the earth can create a life long connection with the importance of becoming better stewards of the earth" therefore, that connection manifests itself on a personal and a community level. Gardens are an environment that foster respect for other living things, which leads to fostering respect for others and self respect. -#chool, residential, and community gardens nurture community spirit, common purpose, and a sense of empowerment by building bridges and strengthening relationships among students, staff, families, residents, local businesses, community citi$ens, and beyond. -Gardens can create life long gardeners, which empowers people to be part of their own food system.