All Things Worms

 It seems that it is this time of year that school garden educators are planning out their gardens, purchasing or getting donations of seeds, stocking up on supplies to enhance garden and growing activities that support their science, math and language arts objectives. Well, throw some worms in the mix and you have a ready made winter garden related activity!  Thank you Nancy Warner of the Charleston Worm Ladies for presenting at our January 27th meeting.  It was inspiring to hear how worm composting can boost school gardens and make for important lessons in the classroom. For those of you that missed it you can visit their website at www.wormladies.com or email Nancy at wormladies@verizon.net.    

January Meeting Recap and Kids Dig In

Kids Dig In - School Garden Activities:  

We are so happy to be wrapping up our activity guide for school garden educators.  
Kate Callahan will be the guest at our next School Garden Network Meeting.  She will be sharing a lesson called the Wiggly Worm.  Here is a list of the materials you'll need. 

Kit 1 (Life Cycle) 

Worm Life Cycle Models (Quart Size Bag) - We'll supply this in our kit

Kit 2 (Worm Behavior)

2 Shoes boxes

Paper Towels

Black Construction Paper

Flashlight

Kit 3 (Compost Sort)

Compost Stew By Mary McKenna

Laminated Recycle, Trash, Compost Cards

Assorted Materials:

Laminated Food Scrap Cards (Banana Peel, Apple Core, Cheese, Celery, Bread, Carrot Peels) Garden Waste Laminated Cards (Grass clippings, leaves, straw, weeds) Cereal Box, Plastic Water Bottle, Egg Carton, Newspaper, Piece of Copy Paper, Aluminum Can, Aluminum Foil, Styrofoam Cup, Yogurt Cup, Glass Bottle, Corrugated Cardboard Sheet, Brown Paper Bag

Outdoor Edible School Garden Mini-Grants:

This year Ledge Light Health District is offering four - $500 Outdoor Edible School Garden Mini-grants are reserved this year for schools that have not received funding in the past. We hope that you will apply if you are just starting your school garden program and need some added support. Click here( X ) for an application or email Cindy at cbarry@llhd.org

Think Spring:  Michigan State University Extension outlines what to consider when planning your school garden.

FREE SEEDS:

We still have plenty of seeds left for your spring planting. Contact Cindy or submit and application to Harts - Info found on the right banner of this post. 

URI Offers a FREE Seed Program - Applications are due on February 28, 2016

We hope to see you all at the next meeting!  happy composting and  Everyone!