Introducing Project Green’s Garden Blog!

This is where we will share all of the magical things that happen in our school gardens. The old adage “kids say the darndest things” will be tested here as we ask many of our garden regulars what their school garden means to them. We will also share new projects and all of the exciting activities going on within the garden spaces.

Our goal at Project Green is to create gardens that are a safe space for kids to be themselves; to literally dig in the dirt, avoid “playground politics” and truly flourish.

We hope you enjoy the stories!

~Gina

Garden Updates

We wanted to share some exciting news to kick off the new year for RUSD school gardens! Project Green received a few grants to assist with the below garden supplies, tools, materials, etc. 

  • Lake Forest, Jackson, Rescue, and Green Valley received a $5,000 grant from Raley’s. Each school will receive $1,250. This grant is valid through the end of the school year.
  • Marina and Lakeview received a $10,000 garden expansion grant from El Dorado Community Foundation with $2,500 going to Lakeview and $7,500 to Marina. This grant is valid until January 2025.
  • In May, Project Green purchased a $2,000 Gazebo for Rescue’s garden and contributed $2,000 toward Jackson’s new greenhouse. 

A huge shout to Jacqulyn Estes, Garden Coordinator at Pleasant Grove. She wrote a grant requesting $10,000 from Raley’s to expand their garden. They also received the grant last school year. Congratulations to Jacqulyn and Pleasant Grove!

In addition, two Eagle Scout Projects were completed last spring in Jackson and Pleasant Grove’s gardens. 

Marina Village and Pleasant Grove Middle Schools were featured in the Village Life on May 15th recognizing our new Certified Wildlife Habitat gardens. Please see article here.  

My goal is to have ALL of our school gardens certified by November. Project Green will assist each school with this project. 

~Gina

Impact Celebration

What an honor it was to speak at last week’s El Dorado Hills Area Foundation (EDHAF) Impact Celebration & Mixer! The turnout was excellent, and we had an absolutely wonderful time learning more about some truly impactful nonprofits in our area. It was also such a fun opportunity to mingle with both Giving Circle and community members. A special shoutout to our brave and inspiring student speaker, Hudson, for standing up in front of so many to share his personal experiences from the school garden. A huge thank you to El Dorado Community Foundation and EDHAF for your endless support so we can continue to make an impact at our Rescue Union School District schools and beyond!
~Gina

Soil Donation!

Rescue Elementary School garden coordinator Courtney Repking received a huge surprise in her garden last week! She ordered 8 yards of soil for the garden beds totaling $525. When Earth Traders finished dumping the soil, they handed her a receipt which stated…DONATION.

Thank you so much to Earth Traders of Placerville!

A Safe Place

Here is a wonderful email I received from a parent of a 5th grader. These are the messages that keep us going and power us to do more for each garden site.

~Gina

Dylan’s safe place is the garden. And my safe place for him at school is the garden because I know how happy he is by contributing, learning and being loved on. I don’t know what I’d do without Mrs. Johnston and her garden and her nonprofit she’s worked so hard growing. She’s poured her love into such a small place that has made a huge difference. She’s made my son feel safe while having fun!