Cornell Garden-Based Learning (CGBL) is pleased to announce a new professional development approach called Take Root! A Training for Garden Educators. We are looking for partners in New York State to host and facilitate
these trainings with us. Partners may include Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) County
offices and non-profits or community organizations that are interested in
garden-based learning program development or expansion.
In 2012 CGBL would like to hold at least eight trainings in groups of counties across the state. By partnering with a local organization that has a strong knowledge base of local programs and community needs, we can broaden the reach of marketing this opportunity and we can offer a workshop most suited to the needs of the attendees.
Take Root! trainings are open to educators and youth workers from the region interested in, or already implementing, garden-based learning. Attendees from organizations and CCE offices are encouraged to bring along at least two other staff and/or volunteers. The objectives of these workshops are to:
The partner organization is asked to:
What CGBL is offering: Half- to full-day sessions including theory and skill building centered on garden-based learning principles and practices, and gardening techniques, from basics (Session 1) to more advanced (Session 3). In some cases we can offer an extended workshop to cover multiple sessions and can be held over two-consecutive days.
CGBL will:
Proposed Training Topics (described generally to allow for expansion and specification to educators needs):
Session 1 – Plant a Seed, Inspire Interest. This is an introduction to garden-based learning; what is it, why is it important (researched based findings), and connecting gardens to all sectors of work. We will begin to develop a garden program that promotes positive youth development, opportunities for leadership and community & volunteer participation, and review tips on effective teaching methods. An in-depth overview of CGBL and other resources will be reviewed. Groups new to garden-based learning or groups struggling with community involvement and program structure will particularly benefit from this session.
Session 2 – Tend the Garden. This session focuses on developing a more intentional, longer-term approach to garden-based programs, expanding existing programs deeper into a school or community, fostering a commitment to yearlong food systems. Using a logic model as a tool, we will introduce methods to create project sustainability both in the garden and with the program itself, fundraising, building capacity and forming collaborations. Groups with an existing garden program hoping to expand and increase project sustainability are a good fit for this session.
Session 3 – Building Capacity/Train-the-Trainer. This session digs deeper than session 2, with a focus on, for example: evaluation, more extensive information on program and garden sustainability, ecological design, increasing yields and season extension, and building leadership of involved participants, including youth apprentice programs, teaching effectively, and mentoring. Groups are a fit for this session if they have an existing project underway, have already taken some steps towards enhanced sustainability but want to go further both programmatic ally and ecologically.
Other topics CGBL offers, for which an additional program fee will be required:
How to construct living sculpture such as sod furniture
The garden as a gateway to environmental awareness
Aquaponics
Intensive introductions to our curricula, such as Dig Art!, Discovering our Food System, and Seed to Salad
Visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/garden/takeroot/ for more information on Take Root! training topics, to be a partner organization and to view the schedule of trainings. Or feel free to contact me at efalk AT cornell.edu.
And, stay up to date as Take Root! trainings are scheduled by joining CGBL on Facebook and our subscribing to the CGBL Blog.
Look forward to working with you,
Liz Falk
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