Chartwells K12 and KidsGardening.org Launch the Eat. Learn. Live. and Grow Grant and Webinar Series to Support School Gardens

Chicago – Joined through the shared belief that learning through gardening can be a positive part of every child’s education and personal development, Chartwells K12 and KidsGardening.org are excited to introduce the 2016 Eat. Learn. Live. and Grow School Garden Grant and Webinar Series. The grant and webinar are available to any K-12 school seeking to start a new or enhance an existing school garden for students.

Chartwells K12 and KidsGardening.org have enjoyed an exclusive partnership under a common goal and vision to establish more school gardens and further support those already in place at schools across the country.  During their partnership, the two groups have piloted various programs to support planning, fundraising, planting, growing and food and nutrition education at schools.  The collaboration also lead to a comprehensive resource guide available to all schools.

As a continuation of their exclusive partnership and in response to identified areas of need in funding and expertise to support the gardens and their teams, Chartwells is supporting a $25,000 grant program administered through KidsGardening.org along with a webinar series lead by gardening expert Charlie Nardozzi, a nationally recognized leader in gardening and children’s garden-based learning initiatives. The Series will cover the fundamentals of launching and maintaining a school garden, and provide instructive and creative gardening tips, nutrition education materials and guidance for building community garden support.

“We're pleased to work alongside such experts and thrilled with the impact of our partnership with KidsGardening.org,” said Rhonna Cass, CEO of Chartwells K12. “Not only do we have a shared vision and passion for supporting students' growth and learning about food but working in collaboration directly supports school gardens across the country.”

Through the Chartwells and KidsGardening.org garden pilot program, the partners learned that 71% of program leaders saw an increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables among students confirming both the need and positive benefits of garden engagement and education for kids.

“We’re ecstatic to continue our work with Chartwells K12 to help fund school gardens across the country and support garden coordinators through the webinar series,” said Maree Gaetani, Director of Mission and Garden Relations, KidsGardening.org “Through our shared values and expertise and Chartwells’ leadership and reach, we can directly impact the eating habits and health education of students, educators and parents across the country.”

Schools can apply for funding and find additional information on the Eat. Learn. Live. and Grow Grants and Webinar Series at ChartwellsK12.com. The deadline to submit an online application for the eat. learn. live. and Grow Grant is August 31, 2016.

Featured

  • Image courtesy of Kahler Slater

    UW–Madison Announces Completion of Morgridge Hall

    The University of Wisconsin–Madison recently announced that construction is complete on Morgridge Hall, a new academic building, according to a news release. The facility opened September 3 at the start of the fall semester, consolidating the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences into a single facility for the first time.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.