Abstract

A recent well-attended symposium for garden-based learning educators provided inspiration, and breathed new life and enthusiasm into children's garden programs.

Issue

University educators, landscape designers, teachers, parents, and others consider the children's garden to be one of the most notable positive trends in the nation today. Revived in the last decade, children and youth gardening programs continue to soar with interest throughout urban, rural, and suburban communities. These creative environments and experiences can foster science literacy and social skills, bring families together, promote civic engagement, and enhance an awareness of the link between plants in the landscape and our clothing, food, shelter, and well-being. Children's gardens also provide the carefree exploration of the natural world that occurs rarely in today's era of indoor living. Yet, despite the rewards, the challenge of keeping up with the myriad new curricula, programs, current research, and networks can be overwhelming to already over-worked, stressed youth educators

Response

In an effort to provide an opportunity to learn the most current thinking and research about best practices, network with other educators, visit programs with outstanding informal garden-based learning programs, and be inspired by exceptional keynote speakers, we hosted a three-day national children's garden symposium for educators in July 2004. More than 200 attendees from 29 states and two foreign counties spent three days in the Ithaca area. Nearly half were from NYS, and included classroom teachers, extension educators and public garden educators. We chose a theme of "Branching Out Beyond Formal Garden-based Education" to motivate us to "think outside the box" and to particularly reach out to participants who are leading local, grassroots programs on a limited budget.

Impact

We conducted a follow-up to the symposium in November among NYS educators and garden-based learning program planners. The impact of the symposium enhanced existing relationships, provided necessary networking opportunities, and resulted in a strengthened belief in the importance of dedicated and trained volunteers to deliver garden-based education to youth. For numerous participants, it inspired new ways of thinking about working with young people, as well as the confidence to apply for new grant funds or gardener award competitions. For many, the symposium spurred new children's garden programs and community collaborations. Other participants had an opportunity to connect on a nation-wide level with staff at American Horticultural Society and National Gardening Association. They indicated that the keynote speakers particularly inspired them, and helped them to understand the importance of engaging young people in positive outdoor experiences. Lastly, garden-based learning program planners formed new partnerships and collaborations, and shared programs with a much broader national audience. Ultimately the symposium inspired a new program that offers teens an opportunity to serve as garden-based team consultants.

Funding Sources

• Federal Formula Funds - Extension (e.g., Smith Lever, RREA)
• Federal Formula Funds - Research (e.g., Hatch, McIntire-Stennis, Animal Health)

Collaborators

• American Horticultural Society
• National Gardening Association
• Michigan State University

Key Personnel

• Marcia Eames-Sheavly