Awarded top prize
for school garden mentor program
The University of Rhode
Island’s Master Gardener Program has been awarded the top prize in the
International Master Gardener Search for Excellence for its Desourdy School
Garden Mentor Program.
The award, in the category
of “youth projects,” will be presented next summer at the International Master
Gardener Conference in Portland, Oregon.
The URI program was
selected from among 55 applicants. It was singled out for the number of people
it reaches, the significant learning that occurs through the program, and the
creativity and importance of the project.
“It’s great to be recognized for the good work we’re doing,” said Vanessa Venturini, state program leader of the URI Master Gardener Program.
“There is a huge need in the
community for assistance with school gardens, so we were able to develop this
program to meet that need. It has allowed us to work closely with teachers,
parents and administrators to create school gardens where thousands of children
can learn in an outdoor classroom.”
The Desourdy School Garden
Mentor Program was established in 2010 thanks to a bequest from former URI
Master Gardener Catherine Desourdy. From an initial group of nine schools, the
program has grown to include partnerships with 42 Rhode Island schools and over
13,000 children.
According to Venturini,
there are numerous opportunities for children to learn in a garden, including
lessons about where our food comes from.
“But the biggest thing
with the next generation science standards is that schools are looking for
authentic learning environments,” Venturini explained.
“Gardens are outdoor
classrooms that help schools meet those standards. Students get to go outside
and conduct experiments in the garden, learn about life cycles, and gain
experience with concepts in natural science, math and environmental
stewardship. Gardens are a living laboratory.”
More than 43 URI Master
Gardeners serve as mentors in the free program. All have been certified after
receiving additional training to qualify.
Their mission is to assist schools in
achieving the school’s gardening goals, facilitate year-to-year gardening
continuity, and serve as a conduit for science-based gardening advice.
For more information about
the Desourdy School Garden Mentor Program, visit http://web.uri.edu/mastergardener/the-desourdy-school-garden-mentor-program/
or call 401-874-2900.