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Students and volunteers march in Longview Go Fourth Parade

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More than 40 kids and adults gathered early on the 4th of July to decorate the Garden trailers with colorful flowers, herbs and grasses picked fresh shortly beforehand. Once everyone arrived at their place in the parade line, more fresh flowers were used to assemble flower crowns for each person. Everyone looked like a sweet garden fairy! It was a lovely day marching together beneath the tall, shade-giving trees of Longview as the community gathered to celebrate. Seed packets were handed out (in lieu of candy) by students riding in brightly painted wheelbarrows, holding signs and flags that boldly declared “Eat Real Food”. You can be sure that the School Gardens had the most colorful float that day.

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Free volunteer training – Register Now!

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IMG_8881“Ultimately, it is volunteers who make it possible for kids to experience the school garden in a meaningful way.”

Whether you are currently volunteering in a school garden or are just starting to think about getting your hands dirty… this free training (pdf) event is for you! Learn simple, effective techniques and strategies for helping kids (and plants!) thrive.

We hope you can attend one of these two (identical) 3-hour sessions:

  • ​​Friday, ​February ​20: ​9:00-noon​
  • ​Saturday February 21: ​9:00-noon​
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20140912_104541Location:

Northlake Elementary
“Garden Lab” Room 26 (​2nd​ portable)
2210 Olympia Way
Longview, WA 98632

We will work in the classroom as well as out in the garden – there will be plenty of hands-on learning! Topics include:

  • Why school gardens?
  • Garden activities and lessons (we have newly developed resources to share!)
  • Starting seeds indoors and outside
  • Composting with kids
  • Cooking with kids
  • Garden safety
  • Group management strategies
  • Inquiry Based Learning
  • School Garden Resources
  • The Garden Coordinator
  • And more!

Enjoy learning and connecting with great people who have a shared passion for kids, gardens and good food. Snacks provided. And yes, Steve the Rabbit will be there.

This training is free! All are welcome, even those outside Cowlitz County.
Register by simply replying to Ian.

Please specify which day works best for you.

“Feeding Washington Tour” features School Gardens

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A revealing video featuring some terrific agencies (school gardens start at minute 6). This was part of a “Feeding Washington Tour” by 19th District Representatives Brian Blake and Dean Takko on August 15th.

As always, the real credit goes to the hundreds upon hundreds of students, families, teachers, businesses, service organizations and charity groups that have created all this with their hard work and generous donations.

4th of July Parade Info – 2013

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LCSG Float 2011 035School garden kids and adults are invited to walk and ride in the parade. We will have 2 decorated trailers this year, and we are still looking for two drivers with trucks to pull them!
  • Initial decorating: 2:00 to 4:00 and again at 6:00 – 8:00 pm Wed July 3rd, behind Northlake Garden
  • Decorating with live flowers 7:00 am July 4th in front of Ian’s house.
  • We will take our place in the queue at 9:45 – we are #56.  Kids can show up at 10:15.  Find us on 14th Ave between Maple and Broadway – about 4 floats back from Broadway.
  • Kids will hand out lavender and seeds packets as well as candy.

Contact Ian for more details

Cascade Middle School Garden is now online

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cascadeUsed primarily by Life Skills students, Youth & Family Link’s after school program, and Sarah Wirtz’s science class, the Cascade Middle School Garden will soon be looking to expand.

Also in the works: Increased partnership and mentoring with neighboring Columbia Heights Elementary, which has a larger, more established garden.

Contact Sarah Wirtz if you like to help or have any questions.

First Annual St. Helens Harvest Festival

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The St. Helens students had the opportunity to experience a Harvest Fest on October 16th. A celebration of the garden, an opportunity for members of the Lower Columbia School Gardens and St. Helen’s parents to teach students how to prepare food, music, games and a really great time.

Click the image to go to the schools website to see more images.

St. Helens “Day of Caring”

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“Wednesday, Sept. 12 was the annual United Way “Day of Caring” and volunteers from Norpac spent the day with our students in the school garden. Activities included painting more signs for the garden, spreading mulch, and making tasty snacks from plants and vegetables. It has been a wonderful experience for the volunteers and students. Thanks goes to Ian Thompson for coordinating the day and working with volunteers on the project.”

Click the image to go to the St. Helens School website and to see more pictures.

Update from the Monticello School Garden

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“Most any Thursday afternoon you will find us in our garden. Advised by Mr. Smith and the expertise of Mr. Ian Thompson, we have a pretty good garden! We’ve had the garden for a couple of years and this time of the year we get to harvest the ‘fruits of our labor.'”

Click the image to go to the Monticello School website and to see more pictures.