Washington National Washington National Youth GardenYouth Garden

Friends of the National Friends of the National Arboretum Arboretum

Single biggest contributor to the National Single biggest contributor to the National ArboretumArboretum

Non-profit located on the groundsNon-profit located on the grounds Made up of committees which include Made up of committees which include

board membersboard members Funds the Flowering Tree Walk, Funds the Flowering Tree Walk,

Arboretum Gift Shop, and WYGArboretum Gift Shop, and WYG

Washington Youth Washington Youth GardenGarden

Mission statement:Mission statement: Using the garden cycle as a tool, the mission of the Using the garden cycle as a tool, the mission of the

Washington Youth Garden at the Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National ArboretumU.S. National Arboretum is to inspire children and is to inspire children and families to engage in self-discovery, explore families to engage in self-discovery, explore relationships with food and the natural world, and relationships with food and the natural world, and contribute to the health and well-being of their contribute to the health and well-being of their communities. communities.

Founded in 1971 by DC parks and rec.Founded in 1971 by DC parks and rec. Nature Deficit DisorderNature Deficit Disorder

StaffStaff

Three full time employeesThree full time employees Social Worker, horticulturist, teacher Social Worker, horticulturist, teacher

Two interns during the summerTwo interns during the summer Most of the work is done by volunteersMost of the work is done by volunteers

Volunteer specialtiesVolunteer specialties

Positive atmosphere is pushedPositive atmosphere is pushed Kaifa’s historyKaifa’s history

ProgramsPrograms

Garden ScienceGarden Science Outdoor science classroom experience for elementary school childrenOutdoor science classroom experience for elementary school children 11 week program11 week program

SproutSprout Similar to Garden Science but it is a one time experienceSimilar to Garden Science but it is a one time experience

Brain FoodBrain Food Work/food exchange with local teensWork/food exchange with local teens

Growing Food Growing TogetherGrowing Food Growing Together Families grow produce in their own individual plots for about 20 weeksFamilies grow produce in their own individual plots for about 20 weeks Weekly demos and lessons for familiesWeekly demos and lessons for families

Seed to SupperSeed to Supper 8 week summer program offered to different community centers8 week summer program offered to different community centers Children maintain their own plot and go through lessons and demos in Children maintain their own plot and go through lessons and demos in

the garden.the garden.

Growing Food Growing Growing Food Growing TogetherTogether

Harvest DayHarvest Day Brings families togetherBrings families together Lots of experimental cookingLots of experimental cooking Awards Awards Donner presenceDonner presence

Programs/ entertainment for childrenPrograms/ entertainment for children Demos with local chefs Demos with local chefs Demos from Volunteers and staffDemos from Volunteers and staff

Seed to SupperSeed to Supper

Harvest for DC central KitchenHarvest for DC central Kitchen Field Trip to local plantationField Trip to local plantation Lessons guided by fundsLessons guided by funds Alternate experience for city youthAlternate experience for city youth Educational experienceEducational experience

The GardenThe Garden

¾ of an acre large¾ of an acre large Herb gardenHerb garden Fruit treesFruit trees Individual family plotsIndividual family plots Butterfly GardenButterfly Garden Flowering BorderFlowering Border Produce plotsProduce plots

More GardenMore Garden

All organicAll organic Composted scraps from meals and Composted scraps from meals and

lessonslessons Deer FenceDeer Fence WateringWatering Shed and machinery Shed and machinery

My internship My internship

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Set up new irrigation systemSet up new irrigation system Installed fences to keep out grazersInstalled fences to keep out grazers Maintained gardenMaintained garden Educational experienceEducational experience Farmers marketFarmers market Garden ballGarden ball

Rock GardenRock Garden

Bonsai Garden Inspiration Bonsai Garden Inspiration Bring new medium of gardeningBring new medium of gardening InternationalInternational Lead to other rock ideas for the WYGLead to other rock ideas for the WYG

Pet rocksPet rocks Rock art in the gardenRock art in the garden New lessonNew lesson

PresentationsPresentations

The future of the WYGThe future of the WYG

Chris’ missionChris’ mission IrrigationIrrigation New teaching styleNew teaching style Better allocation of workBetter allocation of work

Discovery GardenDiscovery Garden Reduce the need for staff presenceReduce the need for staff presence Expand gardenExpand garden Install classroomsInstall classrooms

ProblemsProblems

BureaucracyBureaucracy Truck and transportationTruck and transportation

Lack of information in committee meetingsLack of information in committee meetings Design of gardenDesign of garden LocationLocation

Within arboretumWithin arboretum In DCIn DC

Communication within ArboretumCommunication within Arboretum HEAT and WEATHERHEAT and WEATHER