More thoughts on school gardens

Here is a wonderful posting from the Cornell garden based learning blog which is part of the agricultural extension program from Cornell University. If you wish to troll the site (which is wonderful) go to http://blogs.cornell.edu/gblblog/

Cultivating Conversation: How Caitlin Flanagan has got us all thinking out loud

January 27, 2010 by Angela McGregor

Students prepare soil and seeds for a science experiment

From all of us at Cornell Garden-Based Learning:

It has been two weeks since we read Caitlin Flanagan’s article Cultivating Failure: How school gardens are cheating our most vulnerable students published in the January/February issue of the Atlantic. Over fourteen days have passed and we’re still processing it—through emails with long-distance colleagues, conversations around the office and the dinner table, reading thoughtful responses on blogs and through list servs.

No doubt the article is flawed and misinformed, leaving many understandably disappointed, both in Flanagan’s lack of good research, as well as Atlantic’s poor editorial judgment. There is a significant body of research to support garden-based learning, some of which points to increased academic achievement, in addition to the myriad other benefits, from improved nutrition to enhanced environmental awareness. As a research-based program devoted to sharing highlights of that work with others, to support their programs as they struggle to convince administrators of the value of their work, and to seek further funding for programs not typically well endowed, we make an effort to keep tabs on this exciting, emerging body of work. You’ll find it on our website.

While Flanagan’s article left us somewhat bewildered, we are uplifted by the incredible response of children, youth and adult program partners nation-wide. There has been an outcry, and an outpouring of response. We believe where there is energy, there is opportunity. Here is our hope: that the constructive conversations continue well beyond the blink of this abrasive article. Let’s use this momentum to build new partnerships, gather more research, and share the wonders of garden-based learning with audiences who are not yet familiar with the value.

We have collected some responses below. Let us know if there are any you think we should add. We are particularly interested in responses from students who have been involved in school garden programs. What do they have to say to this article?

Wishing you vibrant garden experiences and looking forward to continued conversation,

from all of us at Cornell Garden-Based Learning

***

School Gardeners Strike Back
Corby Kummer, The Atlantic

Failure to Cultivate: A response to Caitlin Flanagan on school gardens
Kurt Michael Friese, Civil Eats

A Farm Student’s Perspective on Education
Abundant Table Organic Farm Project

Rage Against the Vegetable Garden: Caitlin Flanagan declares war against public school foodie propaganda, exposes evil Alice Waters plot
Andrew Leonard, Salon.com

Alice Waters—Edible Schoolyard Takedown in the ‘Atlantic Monthly’: Wrong, wrong, wrong
Ed Levine, Serious Eats

Response to Caitlin Flanagan in The Atlantic
Abby Jaramillo, Urban Sprouts

Thoughts on the Atlantic’s Attack on School Gardens
Tom Philpott, Grist

In Defense of School Gardens
Susan Harris, Garden Rant

Atlantic Gets it Wrong: School gardens cultivate minds not failure
Jesse Kurtz-Nicholl, Center for a Livable Future

Related articles:
School Gardens Across the Nation, and a Resource List for Starting Your Own
Adriana Velez, Civil Eats

School Adds Weeding to Reading and Writing
Kim Severson, New York Times

Fruit Tree Giveaway Tomorrow 1/23

Passing along some exciting info from Reies Flores. Get your trees!

"My name is Reies Flores and I am organizing a Fruit Tree giveaway at Franklin High School in Los Angeles this Saturday 1/23 at 1:30pm. We will have 300 trees provided by Tree People.

This our third annual tree giveaway.Information follows:

Free Fruit Trees!!!

When: Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 @ 1:30pm Rain or Shine

Where: Franklin High School, 820 N Avenue 54, 90042. Enter through the Ave56 gate to the Faculty Parking Lot

What: 300 Fruit Trees! Apples, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums and limited numbers of Citrus. All varieties right for SoCal climate. Trees will be given out on a first come first serve basis.

Who: All people who will plant and take care of their trees are invited to come get one. Trees will be limited to one per household. Schools, Community Gardens and other groups are not limited to one tree though arrangements should be made beforehand. Get there early as trees will be given away on afirst come first serve basis.

Why: To promote self-sustainability and combat hunger in Los Angeles

Sponsored by: Franklin High School and Tree People

Should California school children's education include gardens?

For a while now the creation of school gardens has been seen as a progressive, educationally worthy goal. We all know the arguments; school gardens help children better connect with the natural world, school gardens are tied into curriculum and help support and bolster student learning, school gardens can help children understand where their food comes from and (hopefully) adopt better eating habits. But a recent, and quite vehement, article from part-time Atlantic Monthly contributor Caitlin Flanagan takes another look at the school garden movement and sees... theft.

Check our her article "Cultivating Failure" at http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201001/school-yard-garden

The response to this article has been great (see blog "serious eats" for Ed Levine's take on Flanagan posted 1/12/10. http://www.seriouseats.com and search under "Alice Waters").

What do you think about the article and the right or wrongheadedness of school gardens?

New Session "Cooking Kids" for 3rd and 4th graders

Sign ups are happening right now for the next session of Cooking Kids at Odyssey. This is for 3rd and 4th graders and your children should be bringing home paperwork this week for registration.

The class dates are on Mondays: January 25; February 1, 8, and 22

Registration and payment must be turned in by January 22nd. ENROLL NOW!

In four, 2-hr. sessions, your child will learn more about Mexican, African American and Asian cuisines – one cuisine a week, plus a gardening session - to plant the herbs we will use and strengthen your child’s understanding of the link between garden and kitchen, nature and nutrition.

The children will cook and taste their foods as well as taking home printed recipes and menus to share with their families.

Who’s Teaching?

The program is being run by two Odyssey parents: Susan Ruffins and Karen Merchant. Both are trained chefs and each one has worked extensively with children teaching cooking and art.

Fees and Registration
The cost per student is $75.00 for the program. Class size is limited to sixteen students and, in the event that less than ten students apply, the session will be canceled. If the class is oversubscribed, we will try to add parent volunteers, but we are committed to keep the teacher/student ratio to 1:8.

Please make checks payable to: STR CONSULTING. Check, Registration and Release Form should be turned into the OCS front office.

Food Pantry Update

Sorry folks. This information should have been sent out before the Holidays, but though late, it is still pertinent. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Brenda Davidge for all her research into whether or not to establish a food pantry at OCS.

After much consideration it seems that developing a food bank at Odyssey isn't feasible at this time. Still, we feel it's important to inform our Odyssey community of other food banks available to them. Below is a sampling of some local food banks. For a more comprehensive list please go to http://www.lafightshunger.org Click on pantry locator and type in your zip code. This service is free to the community. Though you might want to call first to confirm the times and dates of distribution.

Thank you very much

Altadena S.D.A. Church 2609 N. Lincoln Ave. Altadena 91001 (626) 794-3953
2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 9-12

First Church of the Nazarene 9 W. Medocino St. Altadena 91001 (626) 798-2361
1st & 3rd Thursday of the month 2-4pm

Hathaway Children & Family 840 N. Avenue 66 Highland Park/Garvanza 90042 (323) 257- 9600
Wednesdays 9:30-11am

Faith United Presbyterian 115 N. Avenue 53 Highland Park 90042 (323) 256-4171
1st & 3rd Friday of every month 9:30-11:30

Central Filipino S.D.A. Church 777 Colorado Blvd. Eagle Rock 90041 (323) 255-7718
3rd Tuesday of every month 9-12

Holy Family Giving Bank 1524 Fremont Ave. South Pasadena 91030 (626) 403-6140
Mondays 9-10:45