CULTIVATING CHANGE IN SCHOOL GARDENS THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

Corboy, T.*¹; Hupman, K.*²; Fowler, A.*³

¹ Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Xenia, OH, 45385

² Horticulture Program Assistant, Ohio State University Extension, Xenia, OH, 45385

³ SNAP-ED Program Assistant, Ohio State University Extension, Xenia, OH, 45385

     Many grand challenges have been a long-time concern for school gardens in Greene County, Ohio. The county is situated near a metropolitan area; yet maintains a strong balance between urban and rural interests. For many years there has been interest in collaboration among schools and agencies to create a school garden with an educational component that would allow students to earn high school credit as a class. In the first few attempts at implementing the project, there were many failures and missed opportunities.  Some of these failures and missed opportunities included: inclusion of students in the planning process, multiple transitions in county agriculture and natural resources educators, and lack of gardening educational curriculum. To overcome these challenges and educate the school staff and students, first a successful partnership had to be developed. Program Assistants found that relationships are built on trust, commitment, and communication. The Fairborn Digital Academy Garden project’s success depended collaboration and fundamental educational components to achieve a school garden program that would be accredited for its students. This program could not have been accomplished without the incorporation of Master Gardener Volunteers in aiding with online curriculum development and weekly in class educational sessions. Over the last two years, curriculum has been established, a school garden built, Master Gardener Volunteers engaged in educational programs and more. This is not to mention the countless success stories of the thus far more than twenty-five students that have completed the program. The results of this project have been two-fold for OSU Extension by opening doors to collaborations such as this with other agencies across the county.