Explore Ecology School Gardens Are Blossoming – Happy National Farm to School Month!
It’s National Farm to School Month! Join Explore Ecology in celebrating the connection between children and local farming, gardening, and healthy food.
Started in 2010, Farm to School Month is celebrated in all 50 US states, with over 23 million students participating in farm to school activities annually.
In Santa Barbara County, Explore Ecology celebrates the Farm to School Movement every school day, by teaching over 10,000 children a year how to grow organic produce. Our Garden Educators work in 38 school gardens where students get to try new vegetable and fruits and learn about nutrition, composting, and soil health. The gardens also function as beautiful outdoor classrooms where subjects like Math, Science, and Art are taught. In many schools, garden-grown produce ends up in cafeterias as part of healthy school meals.
How can you celebrate Farm to School Month? Visit your Farmers’ Market and try a new food that you can share with family and friends, pledge to incorporate more local, seasonal produce in your diet, or volunteer at your local school’s garden by contacting Alex (at) ExploreEcology.org.
Happy Farm to School Month from Explore Ecology!
Eva grew up in Berkeley, CA and is a recent graduate of UCSB, where she studied Aquatic Biology and German Language. During her undergrad, Eva worked as an aquarist at UCSB’s Research Experience and Education Facility (the REEF), where she managed the aquarium facility and found a love for science communication and conservation.
Rachel Palmer
Nicole is a mixed media artist and vintage goods specialist who has been managing Art from Scrap since 2020.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Lydia
Lindsay Johnson
MELISSA BROOKS
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them.
