July/August 2009

By Laurel Hopwood

The NEO Sierra Club recognizes the importance of teaching children about FOOD. Where does food come from? Does food have to be shipped thousands of miles to end up on our plates? Can food be grown without toxic chemicals? How does growing food locally reduce our carbon footprint?

We are challenging our members to start edible gardens within their school districts. While developing a respect for the Earth, children's minds and bodies are nourished. It's a win-win situation!

We are offering financial reimbursement to teachers and parents who provide documentation and a commitment to start an edible school project within their local school districts. Funding is limited. The deadline is November 15, 2009.

Check out the following sites to help get you started:

• Setting up and running a school garden
  http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0218e/a0218e00.htm
  
• Edible schoolyard
  http://www.edibleschoolyard.org
  
• Step by step guide to building a school garden
  http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/Child/school/sgintro.htm
  
• Grants and resources
  http://kidsgardening.com/
  
• Sustainable agriculture research and education grants and publications
  http://www.sare.org/grants/ and
  http://www.sare.org/publications/edguide.htm

For more info, please contact Laurel Hopwood, NEO Sierra Club Agriculture Co-Chair.