Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Going outside to plant a garden; Learning about insects in the garden; Harvesting vegetables from our garden.
FNEP can provide nutrition materials and food But you will need funds for gardening supplies such as seeds, dirt, plants, and garden equipment
Through funds from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
We are building and utilizing garden beds in schools and community centers to help kids see how they can grow fresh fruits and vegetables in their own gardens.
Fruit & vegetable gardening Maintaining a healthy soil Natural pest control Hands-on horticulture
Behavior changes
Improve and better plan my gardens, test the soil, compost my grass, leaves, and veggies. Im not afraid to start and I now have resources to get supplies and answers. I started having 1 to 2 cups of vegetables for breakfast every morning. I have lost 5 pounds.
Sustainability
Trained volunteers can continue to work with schools to maintain program Schools can obtain small grants for materials Local businesses can sponsor a school garden
Classroom Teachers
An integral part of our program Support in the classroom Coordination of the plant science activities Maintenance of the outdoor garden
Classroom Teachers
Estimate about 425 hours have been given to the program last year Dollar value of $7306
56% (9)
19% (3)
25% (4)
Responses by Teachers
Enchanting program. Hope to have you again next year. It has been meaningful and applicable to our students. Thank you for a job well done. The program is outstanding I see the carry over to their studies and every day habits! This is a great addition to my health curriculum! I am more aware of including color in my own diet as well as portion size and food group daily recommendations. I loved what I saw of the program kids loved the garden and eating from it. They thought of it as their garden.
Other Areas
Mathematics: Grade 4:
collect data using observations, surveys and experiments
Science Grade 4:
Identify the ways a specific organism may interact with other organisms or with the environment (e.g., pollination, shelter, seed dispersal, camouflage, migration,
hibernation, defensive mechanism)
Parent Involvement
Receive newsletters with each lesson encouraging them to serve more fruits and vegetables and offer healthier choices to their children. Will be invited this year to visit class with their child to see chef presentation.
Responses by Parents
Even though weve had a garden to grow vegetables before, my son is more interested in how important it is to have a garden of fruits and vegetables at home. I would like to see parents be involved in the projects and the garden. Thank you for giving my child an opportunity that I could not. This has helped her to choose fruits and vegetables over junk food snacks. This program helped my child because she has been eating fruits and vegetables.
Layouts
Containers
Plots
Greenhouses
Evaluation
Consultation from the University of Missouri Kansas City Parent questionnaires evaluated increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables and interest in gardening. Teacher questionnaires evaluated changes in students and themselves. Children completed pre- and post-tests for knowledge and eating habit changes. Volunteers completed surveys after training and after the 30 hours of volunteer time.
Outcomes
Although our overall goal is to encourage children to try more fruits and vegetables and be more physically active as a part of our program, we are also looking at how these experiences can affect their families and the schools themselves. We are working toward these goals: More fruits and vegetables served in the school cafeterias. Healthier choices for snacks and classroom activities Fruits and vegetables grown on site for occasional school lunches Implementation of farm to school programs
Planning ahead
Promote program in spring of previous year Speak with teachers and principals of sites currently teaching Get an idea of where there is interest and where it is possible
Generate Partnerships
Teachers are the best place to start Master Gardeners 4-H, Afterschool programs Local garden clubs Parents Local community gardens
Start Small
Follow along with curriculum when planting Containers and inground beds One or two classes
Brainstorming
1. Are you interested in a nutrition/gardening program? 2. Who would your partners be? 3. What schools or community centers would you want to contact? 4. What source for garden funds could you investigate?
Team Members
Rachael McGinnis Millsap, BS, Nutrition Garden Coordinator Molly Fusselman, BA, Volunteer Coordinator Karen Elliott, MS, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist Lala Kumar, MS, Horticulture Specialist Cindy Zluticky, MS, Community Development Specialist, County Program Director
Mission Statement
The Eating from the Garden program provides research based information to high needs youth in schools and community programs through nutrition and gardening activities to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, healthier food choices, gardening knowledge, and physical activity with help from area partners and volunteers.
Contact us:
elliottk@missouri.edu mcginnisr@missouri.edu