San Diego Regional School Garden E-Newsletter - October 2009

Hello San Diego Garden Educators,

"Harvest time" is here - there's pumpkins, apples, corn, winter squashes, pears, persimmons, and more great seasonal options to try.  Read more in the School Garden Resource Center's final print edition of "Gardening with Class," which will arrive in school mail boxes later this month.  For now, here's your very own electronic copy - see attached.

Upcoming Events

California School Garden Week is Oct. 24 to 31st!  Visit www.CGSN.org for event listings and ideas for how to celebrate at your own school.

The San Diego Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation presents...

"Food and Flower Happy Hour - A Tribute to our Top Crops" Resource Fair Thursday October 29, 4 to 6PM - Encinitas SDAITC is organizing a Teacher's Resource Fair at San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Botanical Gardens) in Encinitas.  Come enjoy tastes of locally produced fruits and vegetables, and meet local growers. Learn about the bounty of San Diego Agriculture, and peruse local resources for garden-based learning (agriculture, nutrition, native plants, gardening skills, etc.), all in one festive happy-hour-length event!  See attached flyer. To RSVP, please call Kathy at the San Diego County Farm Bureau at (760) 745-3023.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A Centerpiece for a Healthy School Environment - November 30 & December 1, 2009 - San Diego, CA

This free, two-day training provides tools to support an increase of fresh fruits and vegetables on school campuses through interactive and skill-building activities. Topics include nutrition education promoting fruit and vegetable consumption, including garden-enhanced nutrition education, greening school campuses, connecting schools with local farms, and safe culinary skills from garden to classroom. Space is filling fast; CLICK HERE to register now.

Free Water Authority Workshops and Assembly Programs Regional Water Quality Testing Workshop for Teachers (Grades 6-12th) October 29, 2009 or January 11, 2010 The San Diego County Water Authority will hold two Water Quality Testing Workshops this school year. One is schedule for October 29, 2009 and the other for January 11, 2010. Join over 1,200 teachers who have already taken advantage of this workshop and integrated the information into their curriculum. The workshop aligns with State Standards for chemistry, biology, earth science and ecology. Learn to run (9) different tests using our equipment and then become eligible to check out these kits whenever you need them. This workshop also covers water history in the west and current water issues in California. You will also receive a 100 pg. teachers manual, student workbook and watershed maps. Note: The Water Authority will pay for your substitute and provide a free lunch.  For more details and to register, CLICK HERE.

2009 California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference October 23-24, 2009 - Rohnert Park (Sonoma County), CA Tours, networking, exhibits, workshops all related to California Agriculture, and how to bring this richness to the classroom. Pull back the curtain to discover why California is the #1 state in the nation for the production of "specialty crops" - fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, nursery and greenhouse products. CLICK HERE for more information.

2009 School Wellness Conference (Anaheim, CA) -  October 6-7, 2009

This year's School Wellness conference will provide access to critical health issues and their link to student achievement, focus on school governance leadership and bring together school and community leaders to share collaborative approaches.  The California School Boards Association, the California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health will bring together a diverse group of school community leaders who play a role in creating sustainable healthy school environments. CLICK HERE for more information.

2009 Symposium on Food Systems & Public Health (San Diego, CA) - November 4, 2009

Our food systems and choices greatly impact our health, the environment, and the economy. Participants will play an integral role in the first ever Symposium on Food Systems & Public Health by joining an impressive cast of speakers, panelists and moderators who will frame the role of public health in promoting a food system that is 'S3': safe, secure & sustainable. CLICK HERE for more information.

City Farmer Craft Fair & Pumpkin Contest Saturday, October 26th. 9am-4pm Over 35 crafters and artists, music, food, plant sales and more. At 11am - 21st annual Pumpkin Contest Judging! Come support young farmers who have spent the summer growing official City Farmers Contest Pumpkins--last year's winner was over 30 pounds! The first place winner wins $100! A great day to help expose kids to gardening, with fun and games.

Neat Thing I Found Online Kind-of Related to Gardening...

Free Paper Use Reduction Stickers for Schools "These Come from Trees" stickers helps reduce the unintentional overuse of paper through a simple, contextual reminder: wash resistant stickers that can be posted on paper towel dispensers, napkin dispensers, photocopiers and other places where paper products are distributed.  Testing by the These Come from Trees project's founders and participating schools show reductions in paper consumption of up to 30%. The stickers are free of charge to K-12 schools. Permission of the school's administration is required. Apply online for a free set of stickers to post at your school, and visit These Come from Trees online for lesson ideas corresponding to the campaign.

Funding Resources

SDAITC Local School Garden Grant

Deadline: November 20, 2009

San Diego Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation is sponsoring School Garden/Ag Project Grants from $250-$1000. CLICK HERE to download applications.

Village Garden Club of La Jolla Local School Garden Grant

Deadline: Nov ember 6, 2009

The Village Garden Club of La Jolla is pleased to offer garden grants to selected applicants representing any public or private elementary school. The Grant Committee will determine the individual amounts awarded to each recipient. CLICK HERE for more info.

Take Education on the Road Field Trip Grants

Deadline: Nov. 3, 2009

The Target Field Trip Grants program encourages educators to take education on the road by offering 5,000 grants of up to $800 each. This one-of-a-kind grant program enables students to explore the world outside the classroom by helping fund field trips to educational destinations. Education professionals employed by an accredited K-12 public, private or charter school in the United States are eligible to apply. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Planet Connect Grants

Deadline: Oct. 30, 2009

Planet Connect is accepting applications for their high school student grants. Students who have an innovative solution to an environmental problem at school or in the local community can receive $1,000 to support their project in addition to a local environmental internship. Applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 19 and enrolled in a U.S. high school program. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge offers students the opportunity to make a sustainable change, matched to science, math, and reading/language arts concepts and skills students are required to learn. Teams of students should find an adult mentor who will play an active role in guiding student development of the project and submission of materials. The entry period for submissions has already begun and ends January 31, 2010 for elementary school groups and March 15, 2010 for middle school groups. CLICK HERE to learn more.

SCA Green Your School Contest

Deadline: Oct. 9, 2009

SCA's Green Your School Contest is a national competition to stimulate and/or identify conservation service projects designed by high school students that improve, restore, beautify or conserve their school environment. There will be one Grand Prize of $5,000 and two runner-up prizes of $2,500 each. Prizes will be awarded directly to high schools and not to individuals. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Toyota TAPESTRY Grants

Deadline: Jan. 18, 2010

A partnership between Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and the National Science Teachers Association, the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program offers grants to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in the school and/or school district. Fifty large grants and a minimum of 20 mini-grants, totaling $550,000 in all, will be awarded this year. CLICK HERE to learn more.

More grants that were spotlighted in previous months' newsletters:

NGA Announces 2009 Healthy Sprouts Awards Program

NGA Announces Continuation of Youth Garden Grants Program

Deadline: November 2, 2009

Love Your Veggies Grant

Deadline: Nov. 6, 2009

2009-10 Love Your Veggies(tm) grant program

2010 Heinz Wholesome Memories Intergenerational Garden Award

Deadline: January 10, 2010

Would you like to volunteer 1 to 10 hours a week to help sustain school gardens throughout San Diego County? If so, please contact Diana Bergman at Diana.bergman@rcdsandiego.org or call (619)562-0096 x106 for more information.