Lisa WhittleseyyExtension Program SpecialistNational JMG Program Coordinatorg

Mission: Growing good kids by igniting aMission: Growing good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success, and

service through a unique gardening g q g geducation.

JMG: Igniting a passion for learning

“It enhances the It enhances the student and teacher learning processlearning process…serves as a catalyst for student interest for student interest in science.”JMG Group leader responsep pNational JMG Leader Survey

JMG: Igniting a passion for success

For all studentsTh JMG The JMG programcurrently serves students in public students in public

school, home school and private school psettings. Also in camps, summer programs, and

businesses!

JMG: Igniting a passion for service

“The children are learning far more than what the ground can produce… they are learning to be active participants in their

mmunit t h lp th icommunity to help theirfellow man.

Gonzalo Salazar – PrincipalLos Fresnos Consolidated ISD

2011 JMG is…

Program is 11 years old!• 1 000 000 youths impacted in• 1,000,000 youths impacted in

USA annually• JMG in all 50 States • 38 State Partners• International programs in Latin

GAmerica – Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica; Canada, South Korea

JMG –International!

Partnership-Borlaug Institute for International AgriculturePartnership with Amigos – Houston, TX JMG Programs Latin America: Guatemala, Honduras, Costa RicaRicaSouth Korea –Gweocheon National Science Museum, schools, botanical gardens, and universities

Garden Based Garden Based ResearchResearch

BenefitsWhat Can School Gardens DO?

Potential to increase fruit and vegetable intakeE illi t t /t t f itEncourage willingness to try/taste fruits and vegetablesP t ti l t iti l h di tPotential to positively change dietary preferences

Is there a network to support?

BenefitsNational Cooperative Extension SystemNetwork of educators/volunteers in place –Network of educators/volunteers in place EFNEP, SNAP-Ed, and adult Master Gardener volunteer programs. JMG ties to their mission and outreach. Local farmers market and farm to school programsState and local health organizations and

iagenciesState and local education organizationsChef AssociationsCommunity volunteer organizations

BenefitsNational Interest

USDA – People’s Garden Projectp jWhite House Kitchen Garden Increase in sales of vegetableIncrease in sales of vegetable transplants through nurseriesConcept of “local-vores”pOrganically grown

Gardening and Experiential Gardening and Experiential ggNutrition Education in Schools Nutrition Education in Schools Promising ApproachPromising Approach

Nutrition Education plus gardening was found as an effective

Promising ApproachPromising Approach

- Nutrition Education plus gardening was found as an effective strategy for improving in school conumption of fruit and vegetables during school lunch times. (Parmer et.al., 2009)

- Evidence of promising gains in fruit and vegetables interest and knowledge, but limited evidence-based, peer-reviewed research evaluating gardening programs on nutritional research evaluating gardening programs on nutritional outcomes. (Robinson-O’Brian, 2009)

JMG Program EvaluationJMG Program Evaluation85% of respondents stated that

JMG has increased youth interest in science

gg

Over 83% of respondents stated JMG has contributed to higher academic standards

Over 85% of respondents said JMG youths weremore enthusiastic about learningg

Over 63% of respondents said JMG youthstried new fruits and vegetablesg

National Online Survey of JMG Teachers Conducted by Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Education Department of Agricultural Education, Texas 4-H Office, and National JMG Program Office

2007 issue of Hort TechnologyStudies specifically examining the benefits of Studies specifically examining the benefits of students participating in JMG Curricula :“…results show once weekly use of gardening…results show once weekly use of gardening activities and hands-on classroom activities help improve science achievement test scores ”scores. Impact of Hands-on Science through SchoolGardening in Louisiana Public Elementary Schools

“Students in the experimental groupscored significantly higher on the scienceg y gachievement test compared to thestudents in the control group .”

Growing Minds: The Effect of a School GardeningGrowing Minds: The Effect of a School GardeningProgram on the Science Achievement ofElementary Students

2007 issue of Hort Technology

“Qualitative data also indicated that the students enjoyed the program, shared what theylearned with others and wanted tolearned with others, and wanted toparticipate in more JMG and gardeningtype activities .”

An Evaluation of the Junior Master GardenerProgram in Third Grade Classrooms

“ students in the experimental group… students in the experimental groupdid significantly increase their overalllife skills scores .”

Growing Minds: The Effects of a One year SchoolGrowing Minds: The Effects of a One-year SchoolGarden Program on Six Constructs of Life Skillsof Elementary School Children

Students that participated in Junior Master Gardening program and curriculum scored higher on science achievement tests that students in traditional science classes.

National Science Teachers Association Magazine, January 2006

Parental Involvement through Parental Involvement through JMG pr ramsJMG pr rams• Study of parental involvement in schools with JMG programs

JMG programsJMG programsStudy of parental involvement in schools with JMG programs

found that school gardening may be an effective tool for involving parents

• The greatest increase in parental involvement was seen in white and Hispanic parents, lower socio-economic families, and families with parents with GED or less educational level. Boyer, 2002

Components of State-wide program

1.Nutritional educational materials targeting farmers market consumers

2.School salad bars – funds supported equipment in 3supported equipment in 3 elementary schools

3 School Gardening with the Junior3.School Gardening with the Junior Master Gardener – Health and Nutrition from the Garden

Recipes for kids and parents on h t dhow to use produce

http://www.cfs.purdue.edu/extension/food_health/nutrition/better_health.html

Found to have a positive impact on third-grade classrooms across participatinggrade classrooms across participating counties and success.

C ti h l d idiCreating school gardens, providing nutrition education, and encouraging interaction between students teachersinteraction between students, teachers, parents, and the community:

•contributed to increased fruit and vegetable intake among students.•provided students with a sense of locally

Results to be published later provided students with a sense of locally

grown produce • student desire to sample produce new

published later in 2011

to their taste buds.http://www.cfs.purdue.edu/extension/food_health/nutrition/better_health.html

http://www.sbsdk12.org/news/2010/06/22eastsidewellness.shtml

500 children identified by BMI as overweight or obese

•Children and parents participate in Salud y Bienestar(10 week program)J i M t G d t l t t t h•Junior Master Gardener program – catalyst to teach

nutrition, understand where food comes from, helps encourage healthy choices parents and kids workingencourage healthy choices, parents and kids working together•Garden Café – introduced to allow children to pay p ynominal price to sample foods prepared by chef using fresh, locally grown produce

Pilot Results

O ll d i l f b it d

Pilot Results

•Overall decreases in prevalence of obesity and overweight, with more marked decrease with an increasing length of time in programincreasing length of time in program•Prevalence of obesity decreased from 30% to 25% in one yeary•Prevalence of overweight and obesity combined decreased from 55% to 42% in time period•Results for girls- decrease in prevalence of obesity from 26 to 19%, and decrease of prevalence of obesity and overweight from 48 to 38%obesity and overweight from 48 to 38%

http://www.sbsdk12.org/news/2010/06/22eastsidewellness.shtml

Using Family Focused Garden, Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs , y y g

to Reduce Childhood Obesity

5 Year AFRI Funded Integrated Research and Extension Grant5 Year AFRI Funded Integrated Research and Extension Grant

•Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceMi h l & S D ll C t UTHSC S h l f P bli H lth•Michael & Susan Dell Center, UTHSC School of Public Health

•Texas A&M University•TAMU Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health•TAMU Institute for Obesity Research and Program Evaluation

Evaluate Extension programs Walk Across Texas Junior MasterEvaluate Extension programs Walk Across Texas, Junior Master Gardener Program when used with school CATCH programs

P j t b i i i 2011Project begins in spring 2011

Activity SessionActivity Sessionyy

JMG CurriculaJMG Curricula

Curriculum Design

• Hands-On and project basedHands On and project based• Integrated across all subject areas – tied to

state academic standards• Flexibility of use• Choices available in group and individualChoices available in group and individual

activities • Community service and leadership y p

incorporated in all units

Play with Your Food, J. Elffers,1997

Junior Master Gardener- Level OneCore Curriculum

Teacher/Leader

JMG YouthHandbook Teacher/Leader

GuideHandbook

Available inEnglish and Spanish

Junior Master GardenerJunior Master GardenerGolden Ray Series Curriculum

•Healthy Snacks•Label reading•Label reading•Food Guide Pyramid•Food SafetyFood Safety•Physical Activity

Promotes active and healthy lifestylesy yby growing kids minds and bodies

through gardening!

Wildlife Gardenersm

Golden Ray Series Curriculum

teaching concepts:Habitat Gardening BasicsHabitat Gardening BasicsEssential ElementsBirdsMammals InsectsReptiles and AmphibiansReptiles and AmphibiansWildlife Habitat SitesLife Skills & Career Exploration

Junior Master GardenerJunior Master GardenerGolden Ray Series Curriculum

teaching concepts:teaching concepts:•Teaching concepts are built around 6 children’s books

•Brings gardening to life

•Great way for teachers to integrate science, reading, and language arts

How Can You Use the JMGHow Can You Use the JMG Program with students?

Pick and choose some JMG activities to start with as quick, fun, activities!

Formal JMG recognition opportunitiesFormal JMG recognition opportunities

JMG Certification information is available on the JMG website and in all curricula

Tips to create school Tips to create school Tips to create school Tips to create school and community and community yy

gardens that are gardens that are t i bl !t i bl !sustainable!sustainable!

Pl A ?Plan Ahead?

D I t t h h l d ? If Do I want to have a school garden? If you think yes, then:H How will it fit into the existing curriculaWhere will the garden beWhen will it be utilized and maintained

Selecting a Garden Site

at least 6 hours of sunlighteasily accessible for usersnearby water sourcenearby water sourcewell-drained, loose soil

Raised BedsRaised Beds

Use a variety of materialsVariety of sizesCan be removed easily if neededTop Soil can be brought into

i d b draised bed

Raised Beds Raised Beds -- WoodenWooden

Raised Beds Raised Beds –– Other materialsOther materials

Container GardensContainer Gardens

Easy to makeEasy to maintainGreat for homes/apartmentsVariety of containers can be usedGreat for schools with limited spacePortable

Container GardensContainer Gardens

JMG Specialists! – JMGJMG Specialists! JMG Train the Trainer Program

Ownership and Support of Garden Program

Building Local Coalition Teams – IE: facilities department, administrators, teachers, parents, p , , , p ,students, and community leadersGarden Work Day – Sweat equityTap Volunteer TalentsConsider maintenance, use, wateringDevelop school-wide approachFundraisers to support garden project – IE: GGrowumsVisit successful programs already in schools

www.jmgkids.us• Resources for Teachers

• Activities for Kids

• Kid-Friendly Resources

•National electronic newsletterNational electronic newsletter

• Online ordering of JMG curricula d iti itand recognition items

•Register your group/get startedg y g p g

•JMG on facebook and twitter!

For Program Information:For Program Information:JMG Program OfficeT A M U i iTexas A&M University225 Horticulture/Forestry Bldg.College Station, TX 77843-2134979 845 8565979.845.8565www.jmgkids.us

To Order curriculum, recognition pins, appare

Texas AgriLife Extension Service BookstoreP.O. Box 1209B TX 77806Bryan, TX 77806Phone Number: (888) 900-2577Fax Number (979) 458 0172Fax Number: (979) 458-0172