The National Gardening Association (NGA) is pleased to announce the 2009 Mantis Adopt a School Garden Program. Funded by a generous grant from Southampton, Pa., based Mantis, 10 schools in the Greater Philadelphia area will be selected to receive technical assistance, horticultural and garden education consultation, a $600 Adopt a School Garden Kit and a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator or Mantis ComposT-Twin Composter to help lay the foundation for the garden program.
“Horticultural science feeds the curiosity in all of us," says Linda Beattie, donations coordinator for Mantis. "Through a school gardening program, students will learn how flowers grow and where fruits and vegetables come from, but in reality these are valuable lessons in our ecosystem, the environment, our climate, chemistry, mathematics, physics and much, much more. Gardening feeds the mind, body and spirit unlike any other subject of study and we are excited to team up with the National Gardening Association in bringing these integral life-cycle lessons to schools in the tri-state area.”
“Learning comes alive for students and teachers in a school garden," adds Mike Metallo, NGA president. "There is no subject that can't be taught in this dynamic, ever-changing, natural environment. From reading and language arts, to science, math, nutrition, cross-cultural understanding and human rights exploration, everything is possible in this outdoor, hands-on laboratory. We are deeply grateful to Mantis for their many years of generous contributions and commitment to advancing school garden programs.”
Elementary, middle and high schools with outdoor garden programs located in the Greater Philadelphia area, including southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware, are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to programs focusing on nutrition and sustainability. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 6 and award winners will be announced during the 2009 Philadelphia Flower show to be held the first week in March.
