Volunteer Broward Program Teaches Children the Benefits of Gardening

LAUDERHILL, FL (March 24, 2011) – Volunteer Broward’s Garden of Feedin’ program has been sprouting valuable lessons in nutrition education for young children throughout the county. The program, funded by the AD Henderson Foundation and first introduced by Volunteer Broward in 2008, has produced more than a dozen gardens at pre-schools and community centers from Pembroke Pines to Pompano Beach.

Garden of Feedin’ is an early child care gardening project that actively engages children, parents and childcare providers in the urban gardening concept to improve the quality of life for the community, grow healthy foods and produce a sustainable edible garden. This year’s program has engaged 450 children in Lauderhill, Oakland Park and Fort Lauderdale in four garden projects.

“This has been one of the most exciting things I have ever done as a teacher.” said Doris Ladson, who has been teaching for more than 30 years at Achievers Academy and Camp in Oakland Park. The pre-school is one of four in Broward participating in the 2011 program that infuses a 12 week nutrition education curriculum with hands-on gardening experiences.

“The program provides an important life lesson,” said Dale Hirsch, Executive Director of Volunteer Broward. “It gives young students the opportunity to see how a living plant can provide sustenance to a community through love, care and commitment.”

Volunteer Broward is currently looking for responsible volunteers who are interested in taking on leadership roles within the community garden program. Interested individuals should contact Sander Schrantz at 954-233-1291 or sander@volbrow.org.

About Volunteer Broward: Volunteer Broward provides meaningful, hands-on volunteer experiences for civic-minded businesses and individuals in order to positively affect change in Broward County. To learn more about Volunteer Broward’s Garden of Feedin’, upcoming service opportunities or to schedule a volunteer orientation, please call 954.233.1300 or visit us online at www.VolunteerBroward.org

Children at Achievers Academy and Camp in Oakland Park plant a mulberry bush.

Led by Volunteer Broward’s Cherona Levy, Sander Schrantz and Daria de Castro, children at St. Ambrose pre-school display the rewards of their garden.

Tyshawn Delvard learns how to grow vegetables from Volunteer Broward project manager, Sander Schrantz at Kinderworld in Lauderhill