Fresh, local spinach in February? What seems impossible becomes reality with the use of high tunnels. These plastic-covered structures protect against Wisconsin’s cold winters so schools can enjoy fresh spinach and other produce into the late fall and during the early spring months. This brief offers information for building and using a high tunnel on school grounds. Download Brief »
Incorporating School Garden Language Into a School Wellness Policy
Research supports school gardening as a strategy to improve childhood health. Incorporating school garden language into a school wellness policy increases the sustainability of the school garden. Such language ensures students far into the future will benefit from the garden. This document serves as a guide for effectively integrating school garden language into a school wellness policy. To learn more about the importance of school wellness policies and the gardenrelated activities they support, see the Wisconsin School Garden Initiative Brief: Improving Health with School Wellness Policies. Download Brief »
Improving Health with School Wellness Policies
School wellness policies are a tool to promote student health. Identifying goals for nutrition and physical activity helps schools create healthy students. This document provides an overview of school wellness policy history, outlines policy requirements, and suggests activities for inclusion. For ideas and sample language for including school gardens into a school wellness policy, see the Wisconsin School Garden Initiative Brief: Incorporating School Garden Language into a School Wellness Policy. Download Brief »
Outdoor Classrooms for School-Age Learners
Digging for worms, manipulating waterways, and exploring our surroundings know no age limit. Outdoor classrooms are ripe with opportunities for students of all ages to better understand and engage in the world around them. This brief outlines the benefits of outdoor classrooms, suggests elements to include when designing one, and highlights one Wisconsin school that has successfully expanded its classroom learning beyond the school’s four walls. Download Brief »
Kid-Friendly Gardening Tools
Every kid loves a good shovel. And a wheelbarrow, and a digging fork! Using tools is a wonderful way to get students invested in garden tasks, teach responsible behavior, and incorporate physical activity into the school day. This brief provides an overview of tools that are best-suited for students in different age groups, a list of tools specific to planting and harvesting, and a guide for teaching proper tool use and safety. Download Brief »
