The Green Education Foundation (GEF) is calling on schools and youth groups nationwide to plant 10,000 classroom and outdoor gardens during the Green Thumb Challenge - the largest youth gardening initiative in history!
The Green Thumb Challenge aims to connect children with nature and the healthy benefits of gardening as part of a nationwide movement to get kids growing. GEF provides participants with beginner-friendly resources to plant gardens of any size, as well as fun activities and standards-based lessons linking the classroom to the garden. Whether sowing seeds during one class period, planting bulbs in one afternoon, or planning an outdoor garden that comes back year after year, you and your students can be part of this exciting event!
All participants have the opportunity to be awarded a $5,000 grant in recognition of their garden project. Over $10,000 worth of prizes have already been awarded to Green Thumb Challenge participants, courtesy of program sponsors! Joining the fun is easy, first sign up for the Green Thumb Challenge by clicking the button to the right and completing a simple form, make sure to check the box for GEF's green thumb challenge program. Click on the Join Now button below to begin.
Here are a few tips on getting started with your very own garden project:
Decide what you want to accomplish. Your first step is to choose a garden project. For one-day activities, visit the Garden Activity Center or the Green Thumb Challenge Curriculum section to find fun activities and standards-based lessons linked to gardening and composting. These lessons can also be integrated into larger projects to enhance the educational opportunities within your gardening program.
Thinking big? Form a team. Talk to administrators, custodians, and other school community members to create a plan for larger projects - visit Form a Leadership Team for steps and suggestions. Utilize the Garden Approval Planner to focus your goals, and guide you through the planning process.
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