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LATEST STRATEGY: We submitted letters of support for GGRF budget requests
This coalition brings together those who support garden-based learning, to advocate for every public school in California to have a school-based instructional garden program supported by sustainable funding. We have seen the positive impact that school gardens and outdoor learning have on youth when they have a connection to the world around them.
Organizational Structure
Organizational Structure
We are currently seeking collaboration from now through September 2025 from organizations who share our vision and mission
Levels of Engagement
Levels of Engagement
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
We are a self-selecting team of organizations that have significant experience building school gardens and related instructional programs, giving thousands of students access to nature and garden programs. This team ideally has 2–6 membership organizations.
What it Takes
What it Takes
STRATEGY: Provides strategic thinking for coalition meeting planning, activities, and communications.
DEVELOP: Develops case studies, tools, resources, etc.
COMMIT: Commits to 4–16 hours per month for meetings (2 50-minute virtual meetings and facilitation of quarterly broader coalition meetings) and support.
Rachel Black, Executive Director, Garden School Foundation
John Fisher, Director of Programs & Partnerships, Life Lab
Anna Jackson, Executive Director, Ventura County Farm to School
Grey Kolevzon, Executive Director, Growing Together
Linda Livers, Project Manager, SustainConsulting, LLC
Dru Marion, Program Director, SEI
Vicki Moore, Founder & Board Member, Living Classrooms
Broader Coalition
Broader Coalition
We are a coalition of school-garden-focused organizations that can participate in future advocacy efforts and educators who support our efforts.
What it Takes
What it Takes
ENGAGE: Engages in informational interviews, surveys, and/or promising practice profiles.
RESPOND: Receives communications every 1–2 months with updates and responds to requests.
COMMIT: Commits to 2 hours per quarter for a virtual meeting to move coalition activities forward.
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
Anyone interested in the coalition's work, which includes:
Individuals or organizations that focus on school garden programs but cannot commit to the broader coalition at this time (e.g. unable to advocate for state funds, or do not have capacity).
Organizations that focus on schoolyard greening that recognize school gardens as an entry point.
School districts with garden programs.
What it Takes
What it Takes
ENGAGE: Engages in informational interviews, surveys, and/or promising practice profiles.
Advisors
Advisors
Individuals and/or organizations with experience advocating for state funds for school districts and/or organizations supporting them.
What it Takes
What it Takes
ENGAGE: Engages in 1:1 meetings as needed
STRATEGY: Provides useful tips and strategies for legislative approaches.
Founding Partners
Founding Partners
A self-selected team of organizations with significant experience building school gardens, related instructional programs, and advocacy expertise came together in February 2022 to determine viability and to prepare for the launch of the coalition.
What it Took
What it Took
PLANNING: Determined viability by convening concept exploration meetings and a listening tour, identified leaders, surveyed partners, and set up internal processes.
STRATEGY: Provided strategic thinking for coalition planning, activities, timeline, and communications.
DEVELOP: Developed case studies, a school garden data report, an annotated bibliography, and resources.
John Fisher, Director of Programs & Partnerships, Life Lab
Vicki Moore, Founder & Board Member, Living Classrooms
Grey Kolevzon, Executive Director, Growing Together
Andra Yeghoian, Chief Innovation Officer, Ten Strands
Celeste Royer, Director, Equity & Inclusion, Ten Strands
Thank you to all individuals and organizations that have collaborated with us so far!
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