Yarden Project
The MG School Garden Committee took the Yarden Contest project developed by a local teacher and Master Gardener and expanded it to three other schools in 1995. It has been offered at four schools, some for the second year. The Yarden Contest is an extracurricular project for kids to grow a small garden at home with their family and compete at school at the end of the school year, when all participants are honored. Some schools have school gardens. Master Gardeners have been involved with establishing them and offering this program for school projects. We were looking for a way to involve schools that weren't interested in having an on-site garden. There are Master Gardeners who wanted to teach kids but didn't want to get committed to constructing a new school garden. They found this Yarden project to be rewarding and fun.
Basically, the MG presents the idea to classrooms or at an assembly. Then students take home the written materials about the Yarden Contest. They sign up by March first, submitting a garden plan or drawing and a description of what their one yard by one yard garden is going to look like. The MG sends a garden progress report each month for two or three months to every student toencourage these students to stick with their projects. In early June, the MG schedules a visit withthe parents and students to view the garden at the child's home. They may get other volunteers tohelp them with these interviews and visits. The MG gives each child a score for their Yarden andtakes a picture of the child with their garden. Some of the interview questions count as a part ofthe score to test their knowledge. At an awards assembly, or some other end-of-the-year event,the MG presents the certificates and prizes to all the participants. Each child wins an award. Someof the categories are: best butterfly garden; best use of border; best use of stakes; to name a few.Older students had an essay assignment as part of their contest. Most MGs bought trowels orother small gifts for the students. They also put together scrapbooks of all the kids or createdsome other kind of display for the school to honor these outstanding students.
Our local paper did a great article on school gardening and the Yarden contest was featured. One teacher video taped kids at their gardens. This program, being an individual effort by the kids, enhances their self esteem and confidence. At the same time, the Yarden Contest teaches them about gardening. During the first year of the Yarden program from 5 to 35 students in eachclassroom signed up. This was thanks to the recruiting efforts made by the MG.
Basically, the MG presents the idea to classrooms or at an assembly. Then students take home the written materials about the Yarden Contest. They sign up by March first, submitting a garden plan or drawing and a description of what their one yard by one yard garden is going to look like. The MG sends a garden progress report each month for two or three months to every student toencourage these students to stick with their projects. In early June, the MG schedules a visit withthe parents and students to view the garden at the child's home. They may get other volunteers tohelp them with these interviews and visits. The MG gives each child a score for their Yarden andtakes a picture of the child with their garden. Some of the interview questions count as a part ofthe score to test their knowledge. At an awards assembly, or some other end-of-the-year event,the MG presents the certificates and prizes to all the participants. Each child wins an award. Someof the categories are: best butterfly garden; best use of border; best use of stakes; to name a few.Older students had an essay assignment as part of their contest. Most MGs bought trowels orother small gifts for the students. They also put together scrapbooks of all the kids or createdsome other kind of display for the school to honor these outstanding students.
Our local paper did a great article on school gardening and the Yarden contest was featured. One teacher video taped kids at their gardens. This program, being an individual effort by the kids, enhances their self esteem and confidence. At the same time, the Yarden Contest teaches them about gardening. During the first year of the Yarden program from 5 to 35 students in eachclassroom signed up. This was thanks to the recruiting efforts made by the MG.