schools #3 greening your schools - hands to earth

MassRecycle and MassDEP 2011 Conference & Trade Show

MassRecycle and MassDEP 2011 Conference & Trade Show

GREENING YOUR SCHOOLS BY TAPPING YOURBEST RESOURCES

By Karen DiFranza Hands to Earth:

Educating for a Sustainable World

Quabbin Regional School District On Site Composting and Organic Gardening

Programs

Hubbardston Center School Garden

since 2005

Quabbin Regional High School Garden

since 2008

Keeping tons of organic material out of the waste stream each year

Keeping tons of organic material out of the waste stream each year

Recycling valuable resources

Collecting leftovers Emptying into the bins

Creating Earth Stewards

Providing children with experiences that connect them to the land.

Providing children with experiences that connect them to the land.

How to do it•Get everyone on board•Be inclusive!

School Principal

Including staff in your process

• Meet with people to explain your program and share its purpose

• Discuss how the program will impact their jobs

• Explain their role in the program• Ask for concerns and suggestions

Administrative, Custodial and Kitchen Staff

Teachers

Community Resources & Support for Your Program

• Board of Health• Energy Board• Public Works Department• Conservation Commission• Agricultural Commission

Related Organizations

•Garden Club• Environmental Groups•Girl and Boy Scouts• Land Trusts

Related Businesses Providing Financial and In-kind support

• Trash and recycling providers

• Pharmacies

• Health Clinics

• Organic Farms

• Farm and Garden Supply Stores

Waste Management/Barre Landfill and Gas to Energy Facility

Support and Scholarship for QRSH Composting and Organic

GardeningProgram

Grant Opportunities

• Community Foundations• Lowe’s Outdoor Classroom Grants• Home Depot/National Gardening

Association Outdoor Classroom Grants

• Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom mini-grants – up to $1,500

Families

Students: Your Best Resource

Children love:To learn experientiallyTo do real work that impacts real issues

To feel they are making a difference in the world

Doing the work: Solar Powered

Outreach

Mission Statement

The Quabbin Composting

and Organic Gardening Program works to protect the

environment for future generations by recycling food resources, through

sustainable agriculture and by encouraging these practices in our

community

Creating Value-Added Products

Environmental Issues

Children of all ages are aware of many issues

threatening environmental and

human health

Children Want to Help

Empowering Children

Give Children a chance to do work that

empowers them while creating a brighter future for everyone

The Best Resource for Greening our Schools and Greening our

World

For more information, visit

our website: http://handstoearth.com/

Related Resources: http://www.seedsofsolidarity.org/Less_Trash_More_Compost.pdfhttp://aginclassroom.org/ http://www.thegreenteam.org/