“What are you people doing with my money anyway?”

As of October 2013,

  • LCSG has helped create and sustain twelve school gardens (totaling over 100,000 square feet) in Cowlitz County, as well as smaller projects at 4 other schools.
  • 2920 students engaged in past 12 months
  • 280 volunteers engaged in past 12 months.
  • 9,540 volunteer hours in past 12 months.

October 2013 Harvest Festivals:

  • 5 schools
  • 1530 students
  • 1,600 pounds of apples pressed for cider
  • 1,100 ears of Willow Grove corn shucked and roasted
  • 300 pounds roasted vegetables (potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, beets)

LCSG also facilitated gardening & cooking activities for kids in six Youth & Family Link programs and 9 Longview Parks and Recreation camps in 2013.

  • Staff:  one full time program director; one full time Cowlitz AmeriCorps member.
  • 2012 budget: $85,000.  All revenue comes from private donations from community members and local businesses as well as grants from foundations and corporations – no school district or government funding.
  • In-kind donations for school gardens – seeds, tools, equipment, building materials, excavation and construction services, administrative & technology support – total over $150,000 since 2010.

 Thank you – it’s working!