Growing Together: Open Forum

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi!  I have a high school life skills teacher in a separate public day. We started a small box garden with items that were donated (wood was donated by my sister for a birthday present) 5 years ago. We have a small garden at the school and hope to continue to add to it. This years addition was a green house that we are working on installing. We grow many plants and vegetables in the classroom.

I also have a community garden that I am part of at our local park district that was started 3 years ago. Since then, a master garden has begun to help and I have a local daycare bring the kids to pick vegetables and learn. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi. I am a children's librarian in a public library. We have garden beds outside the library where I do programs with K-6 children each spring & summer. In the past I have focused on vegetables, but this year I hope to grow a lot of pollinators both in the garden beds and in other areas around the library.

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! My name is Kendall Slaughter and I am the Farm to School Coordinator for Springfield, Mo Public Schools. We are the largest district in the state of Missouri. I serve 27 in-ground gardens, 57 aeroponic Tower Gardens, 4 heated greenhouses (increasing by 2 this year), 5 unheated high tunnels (increasing by 2 this year) in southwest Missouri. Our Farm to School program has a presence at over 60% of our schools in the district. I have been working with SPS for 5 years and our program is entirely funded by a grant from a private foundation. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi Kendall!

I am amazed at what is going on in your district!  It is great to know what public schools in other states (I'm in CA) are taking gardening seriously.  Funding is a huge issue for most garden educators and grants seem to be the best option.  Do teachers in your schools help with gardening, or is that solely on you?  Thanks for sharing your story and your amazing work!

Hi! My name is Kendall Slaughter and I am the Farm to School Coordinator for Springfield, Mo Public Schools. We are the largest district in the state of Missouri. I serve 27 in-ground gardens, 57 aeroponic Tower Gardens, 4 heated greenhouses (increasing by 2 this year), 5 unheated high tunnels (increasing by 2 this year) in southwest Missouri. Our Farm to School program has a presence at over 60% of our schools in the district. I have been working with SPS for 5 years and our program is entirely funded by a grant from a private foundation. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hey Jacqueline, Funding is a giant issue for sure. I'm glad we are funded by a private grant as the district cut $9m from the budget last year. My position would definitely have been eliminated if the district was paying my salary. I'm also glad it's a private grant and not a USDA grant right now.... I feel horrible for those losing that vital funding. The teachers to most of the work in the gardens with their students. I mostly provide support to the teachers and students using the gardens. I host taste tests, field trips, garden work days and times, classroom seed starting and many other similar activities. 

Hi Kendall!

I am amazed at what is going on in your district!  It is great to know what public schools in other states (I'm in CA) are taking gardening seriously.  Funding is a huge issue for most garden educators and grants seem to be the best option.  Do teachers in your schools help with gardening, or is that solely on you?  Thanks for sharing your story and your amazing work!

Hi! My name is Kendall Slaughter and I am the Farm to School Coordinator for Springfield, Mo Public Schools. We are the largest district in the state of Missouri. I serve 27 in-ground gardens, 57 aeroponic Tower Gardens, 4 heated greenhouses (increasing by 2 this year), 5 unheated high tunnels (increasing by 2 this year) in southwest Missouri. Our Farm to School program has a presence at over 60% of our schools in the district. I have been working with SPS for 5 years and our program is entirely funded by a grant from a private foundation. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

------------------------------
Amelia Dupuis
Kids Garden Community Manager
KidsGardening
she/her
------------------------------

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

------------------------------
Amelia Dupuis
Kids Garden Community Manager
KidsGardening
she/her
------------------------------

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi everyone! I am a backyard vegetable gardener that decided to move from Maryland to Puerto Rico. So I am relearning how to garden in a tropical climate. I want to start a community garden with other homeschool families where I live and hope to get inspiration from this community. Thanks! Elisabeth:)

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Elisabeth Forde
Reading Garden Club

Original Message:
Sent: 04-01-2025 08:39:49 AM
From: Amelia Dupuis (she/her)
Subject: Introduce Yourself – Kids Garden Month Challenge #1

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

------------------------------
Amelia Dupuis
Kids Garden Community Manager
KidsGardening
she/her
------------------------------

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi, I'm Jen. I've switched grades a bit but currently I teach kindergarten. I just started at my new school, but would love to start growing more indoor plants to purify the air and grow in some containers. I moved here from Colorado where I had a huge garden with native flowers, vegetables, pumpkins, and fruit trees. I also had 6 hens. However, I've struggled with plants since living in Hawaii and want to learn more to share with my class.

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page. 

Hi! One of the goals of this year's Kids Garden Month celebration is to help everyone get to know each other here in the Kids Garden Community. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself in a reply to this post and let's build some new connections!

Note: This is part of the Kids Garden Month Challenge and everyone who responds will be entered to win prizes! 

All of the details about Kids Garden Month, the different challenges you can participate in, and the prizes (including a garden bed from Vita!) are on this page.