Get garden basics, sneak peek of Ultimate Garden, at Green Teacher Network

Sept. 12 – Get the basics on launching a schoolyard garden and a sneak preview of the Ultimate Schoolyard Garden at the second quarterly meeting of the Green Teacher Network, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the CPCC Harris Campus.

The Green Teacher Network launched in August as a way for the educators involved with schoolyard gardens to learn from one another and from experts in education, horticulture and food preparation.
More than 100 Gaston and Mecklenburg schools now have vegetable gardens, and another 50 say they are planning to add them.

Our first program on Aug. 21 gave an overview of the Network and offered hands-on math and science lessons based on cooked and, yes, raw eggs.

Nov. 1 program and sneak preview

On Nov. 1, we will go over basic information for launching gardens. This will be a great time for veterans to share what they’ve learned for the benefit of gardening beginners.
Everyone will want to hear more about the Ultimate Schoolyard Garden under development for next February’s Southern Spring Home and Garden Show. And we will also talk about how your students can create and sell products at the Spring Show Entrepreneurial Village. Proceeds will benefit your garden program. The free program will include lunch.

Why have a network?

The Catawba River District is partnering with Mecklenburg Health Department and many others to create the Green Teacher Network, a quarterly networking meeting where teachers and educators can network, receive relevant information about gardening and complete a hands-on project, which they can take back to the classroom with them. Other goals include supporting local foods and expanding current health and wellness initiatives through school-based gardening.

The network is open to all teachers from public, private, charter and home schools.  In addition, all educators directly involved in the local food and growing economy are invited to participate. Please note the Green Teacher Education Network’s primary goal is to enhance school-based gardening.

How to register

RSVP please: Please email Edna Chirico, executive director of the Catawba River District, to let us know you are coming. And please include the following information:

• Your name
• Email
• Phone (optional)
• School
• Grade/Subject
• Are you currently involved with gardening at your school?
• Are you a beginning gardener?

Directions and contact information

The Network will meet at the CPCC Harris Campus, 3210 CPCC Harris Campus, Charlotte. Follow signs to our meeting room.

Learn more about Green Teacher Network

You can learn more about the Green Teacher Network by visiting CatawbaRiverDistrict.org or emailing Edna Chirico, the River District executive director.