Mission

 

The mission of Gardens to Grow In is to promote and support healthy and sustainable lifestyles, youth development, community involvement and self-reliance in Calaveras county schools and communities by teaching children and adults how to grow and prepare healthy food.

 

 

Vision

 

Gardens to Grow In envisions a community where schools are the model for healthy and sustainable living; students, staff, parents and community members are engaged in the process of growing and preparing healthy food; we understand the importance of taking care of ourselves, and the world around us; every school and community has a garden to gather, learn, and celebrate; all children and families have access to healthy food; and local food producers thrive with the support of the community around them . 

 

We envision schools and communities that work together to grow our own food and support the common goals of food, social and economic justice and security for all.

 

 

Goals

 

• Provide paid garden/nutrition educator(s) and garden manager(s) for schools.

• Raise money and help finance garden construction and maintenance. 

• Distribute free plants and seeds to garden programs.

• Develop and support adult and youth volunteer programs for gardens

• Teach sustainable and organic gardening/farming practices that can be used to grow food in back yards or on a small farm.

• Increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to students and families.

• Provide nutrition and cooking lessons to children and adults.

• Build and cultivating community partnerships.

• Offer events and networking opportunities.

• Offer workshops for teachers and community members on how to build and sustain school and community gardens (CSYSG) and implement standards-based nutrition and garden curriculum.

• Support Farm to School efforts - connecting schools to farms.

• Support school site based farmer’s markets.

• Connect children and adults to their food, environment and all living things.

• Operate a community farm that provides produce for the school district meal program, families in need, a CSA and a Farmer’s Market