Now in the afternoon:
Bring home fresh-picked fruit, vegetables and flowers every Wednesday from the Northlake Garden at 2210 Olympia Way in Longview.
Click the image for details. Contact Ian if you still have a question.
Longview
Free volunteer training – Register Now!
“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
Location:
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.
Ian Thompson to give public talk on April 17th
If you would like to learn more about Lower Columbia School Gardens come to the talk Ian Thompson is going to give to the Willapa Hills Audubon.
For the details check out the info on the WHAS website.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
“Feeding Washington Tour” features School Gardens
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
School 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
Used 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
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”
“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
“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.