Northern California
WELLKIND develops and implements school gardens to be utilized as learning labs to educate our youth about science, health, ecology, nutrition, and more. We recently expanded our program to support family and community gardens as bridges connecting people to the Earth, increasing awareness of health, and providing access to organic food production.
THE 2020-21 Garden Mini Grant Program application is NOW closed! Grant recipients will be notified by Monday, February 15, 2021. *APPLICATIONS OPEN again IN nov 2021*
FULL DETAILS ARE included BELOW.
“In every gardener, is a child who loves to play in the dirt. In every child, is a gardener ready to grow.”
- LeAura Alderson
School Gardens
WELLKIND is working to meet the demand for school gardens throughout Northern California. These outdoor gardens aim to connect children with hands-on experiences in nature, as well as transform curricula in schools and improve student learning. School gardens engage children in the growing, harvesting and eating of healthy foods from the garden, while also encouraging the responsibility to protect and enrich our local ecosystems. The program’s goal is to utilize the school garden as a “learning lab” for students 1-2 times per week, to introduce the key concepts of ecology, health, and science. Our hope is to empower children to become active decision-makers in their food choices to ultimately make a positive impact in our communities and on our earth.
Recent studies have found that school gardens complement academic studies in the classroom while also keeping children engaged and excited about learning. Outdoor education is proven to improve student learning, progress long-time teaching methods, and shape the way children learn to live successfully and take care of their earth.
Click here for our infographic on the Benefits of Outdoor Education for Children.
Family & Community Gardens
WELLKIND provides families and communities with the resources, tools and expert advice to help create and maintain their own gardens. We believe growing your own food improves nutrition values, as well as self-reliance, ultimately leading to a healthier, environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
Although California produces half of all food in the United States, California was ranked in the top 20 states for food insecurity. Our goal is to work with the whole family to meet the needs of the community; addressing food insecurity and providing access to organic food for low-income families.
