2018 Golden Shovel Awards Entry Form

2018 Golden Shovel Awards Entry Form

Best New Garden Category

Schools awarded in this category must have constructedand harvested producefrom their garden for their first season during the 2017-2018 school year.

School/School Food Authority ______

County ______

Mailing Address ______

Contact Name ______

Title ______

Email ______

Phone Number ______

Directions: Answer the questions below about your school garden. Responses to each subsection should be limited to 100 words. Save a copy of this form and email it to , along with any supporting documents and images. Media release forms for all individuals in the photos must accompany the application. Pictures with captions, should be submitted as a single document. Higher resolution photos may also be submitted, but must be named according to the criteria they relate to. PowerPoint slides, saved as an Adobe PDF file, are also acceptable and encouraged. Submit at least three pictures that depict your entire garden layout and design with your application.

Remember, not all questions will apply to your garden, and that is fine. These questions are intended to give an overall picture of what you are doing with your garden at your school.

1. Appearance
2. Describe the basics of your garden design.
3. How do you classify your garden - as an outdoor teaching space, production or classroom garden?
4. Does your garden have a special theme or design?

1. Crop Diversity
2. Describe the assortment of fruits and vegetables, herbs and trees, or tropical fruits in your garden.
3. Explain why you chose to plant these items.

1. Classroom Integration
2. How are you integrating the garden into the classroom?
3. Name the garden-based curriculum, if any, you are utilizing in your garden program. If you are not currently using a garden-based curriculum do you plan to in the future?
4. Discuss ways technology or other resources are used to connect the garden to the classroom.

1. Creative Learning Environment
2. What creative components complement the garden as both an agricultural laboratory and an outdoor classroom?
3. Share some of the social and academic “success” stories that have taken place in the school garden.

1. School Involvement
2. Who participates (grade levels, parent volunteers, school staff, etc.) in the upkeep and maintenance of the garden.
3. How does your school support the garden program and use it to build school spirit?

1. Sustainability Plan
2. Describe your garden sustainability plan.
3. Who will be involved in ensuring that the garden is maintained and that your program continues?

1. Community Involvement

Describe the relationship your garden helps to develop between the school and the surrounding community.