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A recently published article takes a look at how learning can be boosted amongst children, when they are involved with school gardening projects. Specifically they found that involving children in school gardening boosted their learning and development in many areas, such as increasing:

• Scientific knowledge and understanding, from botany to food production.
• Literacy and numeracy, including widening vocabulary.
• Listening and spoken interaction (“oracy” skills).
• Awareness of the seasons.
• Physical skills, including fine motor skills.
• Confidence, resilience, self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, positive behaviour and sense of responsibility.
• Positive attitude to healthy food choices.

As part of our Community School Partnerships, we’ve been putting this knowledge to practice for years now. At one of our schools in north Richmond, the Verde Partnership Garden has been producing positive results amongst participating students for years. The garden is a patch of paradise. Vegetables native to Asia, Africa and South America thrive in continent shaped plots. Science, art and English lessons revolve around garden projects. Older students teach younger students how to sow seeds, and everyone learns how plants can heal people.

The program promotes academic excellence, boosts attendance and prevents youth violence, while fostering a school-community connection.

“In a neighborhood where the high school graduation rate for adults is 50%, it is critical that learning is relevant and meaningful,” says Cassie Scott,Verde Partnership Garden Program Director.

And the state of California benefits, too. As Paul Buddenhagen, of the school’s “VIP”program (Verde Involving Parents) points out, “State test scores have improved and student attendance has increased significantly, helping bring in nearly half a million dollars of government funding over the last five years.”