Funding School Gardens via the Farm Bill

Action Alert:
Funding School Gardens via the Farm Bill
January 7, 2008
      Ask your Congressional delegation to support funding for school gardens in the Farm Bill.
      Attention Kids Garden News readers: Here's an opportunity to raise awareness at the federal level about the myriad benefits of school gardening, and perhaps garner significant funding for gardening projects! Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has included an amendment in the Farm Bill to authorize $10,000,000 to establish a pilot program for community school gardens.
      The Farm Bill passed the Senate by a vote of 79 to 14 on December 14 with the school garden amendment intact. The Farm Bill is now headed to conference committee where the Senate and House will determine the final version of the bill which goes to the President.
      Time is of the essence to ensure that the school garden amendment is included in the final version of the Farm Bill.
      Your letters, e-mails, and phone calls to your representatives in the House can help make the difference when the House and Senate conferees meet. Members of Congress who are not on the Conference Committee still can influence the direction of the package and should be asked to weigh in with their leaders and Conference Committee Members.

Ask your Congressional delegation to support funding for school gardens in the Farm Bill.

      The key message to communicate is as follows, restated in your own words:

      "Dear Representative ________________. Please make sure that the Senate provision in the Farm Bill for setting up a pilot program for community gardening in high-poverty schools is included when the House and Senate conferees meet. Please support community gardening in schools as a means for learning about agriculture, improving the diet of children and youths, and growing healthy food for use in summer nutrition programs."

      For reference, the text of the school garden amendment is reprinted here. Please take time TODAY to contact your representative in Washington and help to ensure that the school garden amendment stays in the Farm Bill.

Sincerely,
Mike Metallo, President
National Gardening Association