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Community and School Gardens

Community and School Gardens. Growing Healthy Communities. Background: Health and Nutrition. Adult obesity rates exceed 25% in 31 states and 20% in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Arkansas ranks 10 th in the nation

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Community and School Gardens

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  1. Community and School Gardens Growing Healthy Communities

  2. Background: Health and Nutrition • Adult obesity rates exceed 25% in 31 states and 20% in 49 states and Washington, D.C. • Arkansas ranks 10th in the nation • In 2009, less than 14% of adults consumed fruit 2 or more times per day and vegetables 3 or more times per day • Less than 24% consumed fruit 2 times per day • Less than 29% consumed vegetables 3 times per day

  3. Background: Food Insecurity • 49.1 million (12.2%) live in food insecure households, 14.6% at least some of the time • Arkansas ranked 3rd (15.9%) in the nation • 23.5 million (8.4%) of U.S. population live in low-income areas, more than a mile from a supermarket. • - 2.3 million do not have access • to a vehicle - food deserts

  4. Background: Physical Activity • 2005: 10.3% of adults engage in no moderate-to-vigorous activity in leisure time, occupation or transportation – higher in females (12%) • 2008: 25.4 % participate in no leisure time physical activity • 29.3% of Arkansans • Decreased from 31% in 1989 to 28% in 2000 to 25% in 2008

  5. Background: Other Key Issues • Community Engagement • Knowledge about How to Grow food • Farmers of Tomorrow? • Environmental Resources • Green Space • Financial Resources • Economic Development

  6. Obama’s! • “Statistics…show that the Obama’s and White House staff were able to convert an initial out-of-pocket investment of $200 into over a half ton of fresh, chemical free produce.  Imagine the savings the country could make if millions of Americans followed their example this growing season.”  - Roger Doiron, Kitchen Gardener’s International

  7. Community Gardens Any piece of land gardened by a group of people American Community Gardening Association

  8. Benefits of Community Gardens • Stimulates Social Interaction, Community Organizing and Community Engagement • PRODUCES Nutritious FOOD! • Encourages Community’s Food Security • Increases Access to Nutritious Food • Improves the Health of the Community and Its People • Beautifies Neighborhoods • Preserves Green Spaces • Creates Opportunities for Exercise, Therapy, Education and Recreation

  9. Steps to Starting a Community Garden • Organize • Committee of people • resources, land • funding, structure • Plan • Site design: sunshine, water, shade, security, children, disabled individuals • Prepare • Develop site, purchase equipment • Communicate • Determine guidelines, community outreach

  10. Community Garden Models • On Personal Property: Oakhurst Community Garden - Decatur, GA • As a City Park: Two Rivers Community Garden and Dunbar Garden Project - Little Rock, AR • Initiated by Individuals, Neighborhoods, Communities, For-Profit and Non-Profit • Owned by an Institution: College Campuses, Hospitals, Private Companies • On school grounds: School Gardens

  11. Child Health Trends • Nationally, approximately 16% of children and adolescents ages 6-19 years are overweight or obese. • When an individual is overweight as a child, he or she is more likely to be overweight as an adult, causing higher risks of health problems. • In Arkansas, approximately 38% of public school-age children and adolescents are overweight or obese. • In 2009, less than 10% of youth, grades 9-12 consumed fruit 2 times per day and vegetables 3 times per day • Less than 24% consumed fruit 2 times per day • Less than 10% consumed vegetables 3 times per day

  12. Farm to School • Farm to school (FTS) is a national movement to bring healthy, locally grown produce to school children in order to improve child health, strengthen family farms and support community-based food systems. • Farm to School programs emphasize the use of multiple social and physical environments to both educate and teach new life skills that encourage and reinforce healthy eating behaviors.

  13. School Gardens • On school grounds • Involves students in the creation, planting, tending and harvesting • For educational, health, and social enrichment purposes • To promote a sense of community

  14. Benefits of School Gardens • Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables • Increase knowledge, preferences, willingness to taste and intake of vegetables • Enhance academic curricula • Anecdotal evidence of increased school bonding • Potential to decrease student delinquency, substance abuse and school drop-out

  15. School Garden Models • Edible School Yard • District-Wide Models in California • Felder Farm, Little Rock • Dunbar Garden Project, Little Rock • Delta Garden Study, Arkansas Delta Region

  16. Community and School Garden Resources • American Community Gardening Association • Rebel Tomato: Online Tool • California School Garden Network • GardenABCs.org • Kidsgardening.org • ATTRA: National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

  17. Arkansas Resources • Apple Seeds, Inc. • Arkansas Local Foods Initiative • Arkansas Farm to School Steering Committee • Arkansas Food Policy Council • Arkansas Sustainability Network • Arkansas Urban Gardening Education Resources • Little Rock Urban Farming • University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture – Cooperative Extension Service

  18. Emily English Program Manager Delta Garden Study www.arteengarden.com 501-364-3390 esenglish@uams.edu

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