Are you ready to bring learning to life in the garden?
See how our program works, in a year by year view.
YEAR ONE
DCGP works with the school to build the garden and provides starter materials, tools, supplies, and all needed resources. DCGP staff gives weekly lessons to K-5th grade students using standard-based curriculum, in addition to setting up the following training and programs:
YEAR TWO
Continuing the established program, DCGP staff provides guidance to the classroom teachers as they begin to help lead garden lessons and run student farm stands. DCGP also supports the Garden Committee in garden maintenance decisions, as they begin to assume major decisions regarding the garden’s growth.
YEAR THREE
DCGP maintains a supportive presence as the school transitions to take over garden lessons and works with teachers on all curriculum updates for garden lessons. The Garden Committee leads all garden decisions and weekly maintenance with DCGP’s guidance as needed. Produce sales from farm stands help to sustain the garden.
What it Costs, per School
The first two years require DCGP to make a substantial financial investment in order to successfully install the garden and implement the program. But, by the third year, the program becomes almost entirely self-sustainable from the school’s farm stand sales!
| Although the cost falls significantly and exponentially after year 2, in the initial years, for an average school of 400 kids, each garden lesson amounts to approximately $2.85 per child. |  |
SCHOOL GARDEN LOCATIONS
We currently operate in a total of 10 Tuscaloosa-area schools, seven in Tuscaloosa City Schools (Central Elementary, Oakdale Elementary, Tuscaloosa Magnet School – Elementary, Woodland Forrest Elementary, University Place Elementary, The Alberta School of Performing Arts, and Verner Elementary) and three in the Tuscaloosa County School System (Crestmont Elementary, Flatwoods Elementary, and Faucett-Vestavia).