Project Report
| Feb 14, 2012
Gardens 2011
By Chris Mancini | Executive Director
![Healey Garden]()
Healey Garden
The Schoolyard Gardens Program unites school communities through the production of high quality organic local produce and participation in enriched nutrition, biology, ecology, agriculture, and economic education in Somerville. Through Schoolyard Gardens, Somerville Public School students have the opportunity to plant and harvest their own food. Groundwork then uses that experience as a catalyst to empower them to make decisions that positively affect their own health and the health of the environment. The Schoolyard Gardens curriculum, which complies with Massachusetts Education Standards, focuses on children in kindergarten through 8th grade and reaches over 400 students per year.
Also under the umbrella of Schoolyard Gardens are two garden related programs run outside the public school system. Groundwork oversees a Spring Break Camp at the Somerville Community Growing Center and Nature Workshops at three branches of the Somerville Public Library.
In 2011, Groundwork offered Schoolyard Gardens in 9 schools each season, and reached over 450 students. The program also provided opportunities for 26 weekly-committing volunteers to assist in seasonal school garden programming and many additional opportunities for one-time volunteers to engage.
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May 10, 2011
Groundwork Somerville Schoolyard Gardens Update!
By Jennifer Lawrence | Executive Director
![SomerGreen Festival 2011]()
SomerGreen Festival 2011
When folks ask us how things are going in the school gardens, we answer, “Busy!”
- Twenty one 2nd and 3rd graders gathered in the Growing Center from April 19th-22nd for the “Spring into Action!” April Vacation program. They planted veggies, stayed warm with a lot of running and active play, visited Gaining Ground Farm in Concord, and prepared their own healthy lunches. Check out the photos and recipe book available on the program page.
- Twelve “Dig Spring!” after school Garden Clubs are in full swing at nine sites across the city! Students have kept busy planting seeds, examining flowers, pretending to be pollinators, beautifying their school grounds, and playing plenty of garden-themed running games. Our last day of after school programming is June 10th.
- Summer plans are starting to solidify – keep your eyes on our calendar to find out about eco-themed children’s workshops at the libraries this summer. They will be free and open to the public thanks to the Friends of the Somerville Public Library. If you run childrens’ programming and would like to host a Groundwork Somerville nature-themed workshop, contact tai@groundworksomerville.org!
- Want to learn more about the school gardens? Check out our program’s page.
Thank you for all of your support! Please spread the word about this amazing program and continue to support creating a more sustainable Somerville!
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Feb 9, 2011
Maple Syrup Project ramping up!
By Tai Dinnan | Gardens Coordinator
Thanks for your interest in the Somerville Maple Syrup Project, here are some updates and reminders that take us through the end of the season:
- **Last chance to order a Limited Edition T-Shirt!** Please email me your size by Tuesday (tomorrow) at 8pm to get the 2011 edition! They cost $12, and all proceeds will support the Maple Syrup Project. The t-shirts are in standard unisex sizes from children's small through adult extra large and are maroon with goldenrod yellow ink. They feature art from several artists (of all ages) illustrating their favorite parts of the Somerville sugaring experience.
- Thanks to the over 40 supporters who attended the tapping event: the gorgeous weather rewarded us, causing sap to flow out the freshly drilled holes before we even hung the buckets! Thanks to the Tisch College Civic Engagement Fund for helping support sap collection and boil down activities.
- Save the Date: The Boil Down Festival will be on March 5th from 10am to 2pm at the Somerville Community Growing Center. Please find the poster attached - feel free to post it and help spread the word!
- Join us on Facebook! Attend the event and invite your friends
- Have 7-9 year olds? Check out the Library Workshops that are happening each Saturday in February at the Library. Thanks to the Friends of the Somerville Public Library for their support of this event
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