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2023 SCHOOL GARDEN
FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP SERIES

School Garden Network hosts expert speakers to support garden educators and classroom teachers build their capacity for relevant, effective, and engaging garden-based education.  This series will have an emphasis on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in the School Garden.

Four Workshops:

INTRODUCTION TO FIBER ARTS IN THE SCHOOL GARDEN

Thursday, April 27, 2023
​9am- 3pm at the Fibershed Learning Center
This workshop is designed to highlight the wonderful work of our local Fibershed, amplify the work of its local fiber producers and makers, and connect garden educators and classroom teachers with lessons and plants that will support fiber art projects in their school gardens.
Fibershed is a nonprofit organization that develops regional fiber and textile systems that build ecosystem and community health. Fibershed’s producer community includes over 180 farmers, ranchers, designers, artisans, processors and retailers in Northern California. 
The workshop will include hands-on activities, dye plant giveaways, lunch and more.
Grace Sullivan is a natural dye and textile practitioner and teacher committed to using dyes and materials sources from the soil. Her teaching experience includes leading a farm-to-table program at Castlemont High School in Oakland, and designing and running garden programs in Philadelphia and Phoenix.  
Robyn Smith is a Fiber Artist and classroom teacher Of 20+ years with degrees in both Montessori and Waldorf education.  Robyns deeper studies of Botanical dying and handwork she gained through her studies at Rudolph Steiner College of which she applied in classroom and garden at local Waldorf schools in the bay area.
SPECIAL THANKS to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau for funding this workshop, to Black Oak Builders for their Root Sponsorship, to our friends at the Fibershed for all the wonderful work they do in our community, and to our amazing presenters!

Cooking from the garden

August, 2023​
In this engaging workshop, SGN presents “Food Literacy Broken Down Bite-by-Delicious-Bite.” This workshop explores cutting-edge nutrition education and food literacy concepts. SGN and local chefs utilize outdoor cooking spaces and NGSS curriculum in hands-on practice. This workshop also discusses food education and literacy through the lens of food equity and access, as well as trauma-informed education. SGN’s Program Director has completed Trauma-Informed Programming through Leah’s Pantry: Trauma Basics, and the Relationship to Nourishment. Workshop participants will leave with indoor/outdoor classroom lessons and recipes to immediately begin integrating their new nutrition education with their students. 

CREATING & engaging with SCHOOLYARD HABITATS

November, 2023
In this workshop educators will learn the fundamentals of native pollinator-friendly habitats and how to engage students to become pollinator, climate, and ecosystem stewards. As part of SGN's Schoolyard Habitat Program, this workshop will involve presentations, practical demonstrations, participatory group activities, and an opportunity for schools and teachers to connect with community partners and curriculum specialists. Join us if you already have a Schoolyard Habitat at your school, or if you are thinking about creating one!
Workshop participants will receive pollinator-friendly native plants (including milkweed!) and habitat-inspired curriculum to use in their schools.

SOIL HEALTH & COMPOSTING

Winter, 2023
Conservation Works’ environmental education program is a vermiculture waste-to-compost program working with schools to help them divert their food wastes from landfills to onsite bins with earthworms that recycle the waste into rich compost material. Conservationists provide workshop participants with a classroom module on composting, and equip educators to engage student leaders at their schools to develop an ongoing school composting program. Less food waste in landfills means less methane (a potent greenhouse gas) generation in the landfill, plus the compost can be used in school gardens, or even sold as a school fundraiser.
Brought to you by these generous sponsors