School Garden Resources
Got Veggies? A Youth Garden-Based Nutrition Education Curriculum (PDF | 11.7 MB)
Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Got Veggies? is a garden-based nutrition education curriculum created with the goal of getting children to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. The curriculum features 7 full lesson plans that are aligned with Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards for Nutrition, Health, Science, and other related subjects. A series of shorter garden-based activities are also included, as well as recipes and helpful tips for cooking and eating in the garden.
Gardens for Learning: Creating and Sustaining Your School GardenCalifornia School Garden Network.
Comprehensive guidebook to support the growing school garden, developed by a team of experienced garden educators, nutritionists, state officials, and other garden experts.
MyGarden School Meals Resource (PDF | 2.57 MB)MDE. Michigan Team Nutrition.
This resource links the School Garden to the School Meals Program. This can be used to decide what produce to grow, how to incorporate it into quantity recipes as well as storage, preparation and culinary tips . Also includes information on the nutritional value of produce and sample recipes.
School GardensTAM. Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Links to various helpful topics on school gardens, including: steps to build a school garden, ideas and curricula, nutritional benefits, and school garden resources.
Grow to Learn NYCThe Mayor's Fund. GrowNYC.
A public-private partnership created to promote school gardens in New York City. Information for how to start, maintain and fund school gardens is provided.
Got Dirt? A Garden Toolkit for Implementing Youth Gardens (PDF | 2.7 MB)
Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The toolkit is designed to provide the basic steps of starting and maintaining a youth fruit and vegetable garden. Includes several examples of successful community, childcare, and school gardening projects in Wisconsin.
Agriculture in the ClassroomUnited States Department of Agriculture.
Provides teacher resources including posters, activities, books, DVDs, and kits related to agriculture in the school.
Nancy's Garden: Grow Minds, Grow Healthy Bodies, Grow Gardens! (PDF | 1.03 MB)Montana Math & Science Initiative, Montana Team Nutrition
Montana's First Lady Nancy Schweitzer invites you to spark an interest in math and science with classroom gardening.
Kids GardeningNational Gardening Association.
Includes resources for teachers and parents, classroom activities, newsletters, and more!
MyGarden Lesson PlansMichigan Team Nutrition.
The K-12 MyGarden lesson plans were written by teachers and reviewed by horticulturists and nutritionists. Each lesson contains gardening and nutrition information and activities within a specific content area - English Language Arts, Math, Science, or Social Studies.
Growing Healthy Habits
University of Maryland Extension Program.
This curriculum contains lessons and activities to help students understand the importance of growing food, nutrition, and food safety.
New Journeys & Crossings Webcast: School GardensLibrary of Congress.
Constance Carter, Head of the Science Reference Section, Library of Congress, describes the history of the school garden in America and offers reasons why school gardens are making a comeback.
School Zone: National CurriculumGardening with Children
Information on how to incorporate school gardening into the curriculum of every school subject. The list includes ideas for different age groups.
California Foundation for Agriculture in the ClassroomThe California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
This Web site offers lesson plans, student activities, resources, and a calendar of events to highlight the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.
Cruciferous Crusaders Lesson PlansLeafy Greens Council.
This site includes lesson plans for grades 3-5 that incorporate language arts, math, science/health and social studies in activities that increase student understanding of nutritional benefits of cruciferous vegetables and promote their consumption.
The Great Plant Escape
University of Illinois Extension.
Each of the lessons in this program for 4th and 5th graders is interdisciplinary and designed to introduce students to plant science and increase their understanding of how foods grow. This program includes a teacher guide and a variety of activities for independent and group work. Available in English and Spanish
My First GardenUniversity of Illinois Extension.
This web site shows 4th grade students the care that goes into planning and nurturing a garden, the benefits of having a garden and some strategies for starting them. The web site also includes a teacher’s guide and everything is available in English and Spanish. Content available on a CD.
Grow: Primers & ProjectsPublic Broadcasting Service.
Learn how you can start a garden with children, even when there is no yard available. Includes the ten-minute plan and instructions for a container garden.