The Seed Savers Exchange stewards America’s culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. Their mission is to educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories.

Seed Savers Exchange has been saving and sharing seeds with gardeners since 1975. Watch the video “An Introduction to Seed Savers Exchange” to learn more.

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The deadline for application submission is Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:59 PM PT. All applications must be submitted online.

Any organization in the United States or US Territories planning a new or improving an existing garden program that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 0 and 18 is eligible to apply. In early 2025, 50 organizations will be awarded $500 in funding for their youth garden program.

Click here for more information

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Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. As temperatures rise, weather patterns shift, and ecosystems are disrupted, it’s more important than ever for students to understand the science behind climate change and its impacts.

Climate literacy for students is important in providing the knowledge they will need to address the impacts of the climate crisis they face.  Empowering them with a solid foundation in understanding the science and history, recognizing interdisciplinary connections, and developing critical thinking skills and values will enable them as our environmental stewards to act as agents of change and action in their community and home.

In 2020, New Jersey became the first state in the country to require climate change education to be incorporated across subjects in K-12 schools.  In my own hometown of Los Angeles, the LAUSD School Board unanimously passed a Climate Literacy Resolution, in February 2022. The Board resolved to integrate climate literacy and environmental justice across all subjects in the classroom, school gardens and outdoor education experiences. School principals also designate a Climate Champion who receives a stipend to assist other teachers in their school in finding ways to integrate climate literacy in their own subjects.

Using the School Garden to Teach Climate Literacy

The school garden serves as a living classroom and laboratory for learning about climate change and issues the students will face. 

School gardens are dynamic, hands-on learning environments for teaching climate literacy in several ways:  observation and data collection, understanding ecosystems and need for biodiversity, food security, plant adaptation, learning about carbon sequestration, indigenous knowledge, food waste, climate resilient gardening practices such as composting, water conservation, companion planting, and more.

Student Climate Resources

To further build climate knowledge in and beyond the garden, please see the following resources for educators, students, and communities:

• SubjecttoClimate.org – https://subjecttoclimate.org/
• The Climate Reality Project (Los Angeles Chapter) – https://www.laclimatereality.org/climateresources
• NASA Climate Kids – https://climatekids.nasa.gov/
• United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals for Students –https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/student-resources/
• Alliance for Climate Education – https://acespace.org/
• Climate Generation – https://www.climategen.org/
• The CLEAN Collection of Climate & Energy Educational Resources –https://cleanet.org/index.html

Use your school garden as a gateway to nurture the next generation of climate champions. Share your own climate literacy lessons in the garden with us!

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While you are at the site check out some of their other resources, such as this pdf handout, Vegetable Garden Basics and this recent newsletter article about growing Cameliia sinensis (the tea tree) in your own back yard or on a patio.

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Register at https://beverlyhills.org/gardening

1. Vegetable Gardening Basics
A comprehensive two-week class covers everything you need to know to successfully grow and harvest fresh produce from your garden every day year-round.
4/03 class covers location, plant selection, tools, soil prep, seed starting, transplanting, and containers
4/10 class covers irrigation, composting, organic fertilizers, mulching, pest control, and harvesting
April 3rd 10:00AM – 1:00PM
April 10th 10:00AM – 1:00PM
(Cost $15.00, $12.00 for BH residents for each class).

2. Jr Master Gardener Children’s Gardening Class (Age 7-13)
Seasonal activities include seed starting, seed saving, garden maintenance, and harvesting fresh produce.
Sunday April 24th 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. (Cost $15.00, $12.00 for BH residents).

3. Gardening for Caregivers
For caregivers, parents, relatives, friends, or guardians. Learn activities and best practices for gardening with the elderly, the disabled, autistic individuals, or those with mental health issues. Garden Instructor George Pessin will be joined by Master Gardener and wellness professional Pamela Korst, MFT.
May 15th 10:00 AM-11:30 AM. (Cost $15.00, $12.00 for BH residents).

4. Indoor Gardening
Grow vegetables indoors under artificial lights or in a sunny location. Covers plant selection, containers, soil, lighting, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Sunday May 22nd, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. (Cost $15.00, $12.00 for BH residents).

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The cost is free. Please register at Beverly Parks and Rec.

Follow along and grow with us!

Class Schedule

April 1 – Get your Grow On. Planning and Location.
The spring garden season is now upon us, are you ready? Topics include: Choosing a Location, Seeds or Transplants, Tools, Soil Structure, Amending the Beds.

April 8 – Container Gardening
Don’t let lack of space deter you. Everything from arugula to zucchini can be grown in containers. We will also discuss in-ground beds and raised beds.

April 15 – What to Grow and When to Grow it.
Learn what crops do well in the summer and what you should save for the winter. Includes growing tips for all your favorites.

April 22 –  Seed Starting and Transplants
How to start seeds indoors or directly in your garden. Also, learn the proper way to transplant store-bought seedlings. Let’s get growing! 

May 6 – Irrigation, Organic Fertilizers, and Mulching
Learn these different methods along with plant nutrition to enable your plants to thrive.

May 13 –  Garden Pest Control
Learn all the different methods to deal with pests, insects, and diseases. Learn them all and your plants will thank you.

May 20 – Compost and Worm Composting
Recycle your green waste and create the best organic fertilizer and soil amendment at the same time. Easy to set up and maintain.

Any questions please contact Garden Instructor, George Pessin, gpessin@beverlyhills.org

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