Student Gardening
The RVACG strongly believes in encouraging and training young gardeners who are the gardeners or food growers of the future.
We are currently working to expand and improve our student gardening program for students who want to garden and to introduce students to gardening, nature and the environment in general.
What we have so far:
Our student gardening will be composed of 3 options.
We will continue to have our Plots for Students providing free garden plots for students in the River Valley School District. This is primarily for older students unless the family is gardening at the Community Gardens.
For the younger children, they will have the option of participating in the Garden Activities program of stories, arts and crafts activities, scavenger hunts, garden walk throughs, etc.
Or children may also choose to participate in the Children's Garden where they may select some seeds or seedlings to plant and care for and then harvest produce or flowers as the plants mature. This program is a bit more intense in that the children and their families need to commit to taking responsibility for what is planted, and care for it on a regular basis. Older students who do not want the responsibility of a plot may also participate in the Children's Garden. Mentors will be available to help students.
An interest survey to determine how many families are interested in the program will be distributed to families in the coming weeks. The next step is to determine the help we need to run the program and then to register students.
The goal is to start the actual program with an introduction time in May and then the scheduled activities in June running through the middle of August.
More information will be forthcoming as it is developed.
We are currently working to expand and improve our student gardening program for students who want to garden and to introduce students to gardening, nature and the environment in general.
What we have so far:
Our student gardening will be composed of 3 options.
We will continue to have our Plots for Students providing free garden plots for students in the River Valley School District. This is primarily for older students unless the family is gardening at the Community Gardens.
For the younger children, they will have the option of participating in the Garden Activities program of stories, arts and crafts activities, scavenger hunts, garden walk throughs, etc.
Or children may also choose to participate in the Children's Garden where they may select some seeds or seedlings to plant and care for and then harvest produce or flowers as the plants mature. This program is a bit more intense in that the children and their families need to commit to taking responsibility for what is planted, and care for it on a regular basis. Older students who do not want the responsibility of a plot may also participate in the Children's Garden. Mentors will be available to help students.
An interest survey to determine how many families are interested in the program will be distributed to families in the coming weeks. The next step is to determine the help we need to run the program and then to register students.
The goal is to start the actual program with an introduction time in May and then the scheduled activities in June running through the middle of August.
More information will be forthcoming as it is developed.
Student Gardening Plots
Free plots are provided to interested students living in the River Valley School District. The goal is to encourage students to learn how to garden to grow healthy food for their families or others in need.
Interested individual students or student groups may download a pdf registration form below or view it here. Students, parents or guardians or student groups may contact the RVACG directly through the Contact Us link or email us at info@rvacg.org
There is no limit on the age of students participating in the program but they need to be old enough to understand that they must make a commitment to care for their plot and plants for the duration of the growing season.
Students may grow vegetables or ornamental plants for their family, or for the local food pantry of their choice. They are encouraged to use their plots as a 4-H project, a scouting project or for local county fair entries, or entries for the River Valley School Fair.
Students will have access to free seeds and seedlings as well as tools such as trowels, shovels, rakes, whatever is needed to plant and care for a garden. Students may also purchase their own seeds and seedlings.
Free plots are provided to interested students living in the River Valley School District. The goal is to encourage students to learn how to garden to grow healthy food for their families or others in need.
Interested individual students or student groups may download a pdf registration form below or view it here. Students, parents or guardians or student groups may contact the RVACG directly through the Contact Us link or email us at info@rvacg.org
There is no limit on the age of students participating in the program but they need to be old enough to understand that they must make a commitment to care for their plot and plants for the duration of the growing season.
Students may grow vegetables or ornamental plants for their family, or for the local food pantry of their choice. They are encouraged to use their plots as a 4-H project, a scouting project or for local county fair entries, or entries for the River Valley School Fair.
Students will have access to free seeds and seedlings as well as tools such as trowels, shovels, rakes, whatever is needed to plant and care for a garden. Students may also purchase their own seeds and seedlings.
Parent / Guardian Participation
Students participating in the program need to have parental or guardian permission. Parent or guardian participation in the project is encouraged at minimum in a supervisory capacity. Students and their parents / guardians are encouraged to participate in any social or fund raising activities sponsored by the Gardens. All activities are family friendly.
Garden Regulations
Before plots are planted students, parents / guardians must meet with the RVACG Registrar or attend the Gardens Spring Registration meeting to review the rules and the regulations of the Garden.
Mentors
Mentors will be assigned to all youth gardeners if they want them. Mentors will guide the students in seed and seedling selection, soil preparation, planting, seedling identification, mulching and soil care, weeding and harvesting.
Student gardeners may visit the garden as needed to care for their plants.
Email Notifications / Garden Activities
Student gardeners or parents / guardians will be added to the RVACG Garden email list so that they receive any Garden notices sent to the adult gardeners.
Who is contacted?
Annual contacts may be made with youth groups or individuals in the area.
These groups include but are not limited to
River Valley Middle School / River Valley High School / River Valley Elementary School
Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts / Local 4H Clubs
St. Johns School / St. Lukes School / Home School students
any students who express an interest in gardening to our Board members or one of Gardeners
Annual contacts may be made with youth groups or individuals in the area.
These groups include but are not limited to
River Valley Middle School / River Valley High School / River Valley Elementary School
Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts / Local 4H Clubs
St. Johns School / St. Lukes School / Home School students
any students who express an interest in gardening to our Board members or one of Gardeners
Student Registration Form download
| 2021_student_registration_form.pdf |