G4H Educator & Leader Training
Gardens 4 Humanity (G4H) is recruiting parents, teachers, students and all interested community members to become Gardens 4 Humanity educators and garden leaders. As a G4H trainee, you will receive a 20-hour garden hands-on training on topics including gardening basics, perennial plantings, effectively teaching gardening to kids and adults in and out of the classroom setting, building community through gardening, permaculture, building healthy soil, raised bed construction, and garden and food related activities. After the training, you will be able to shadow experienced G4H staff and volunteers in a classroom, after-school or community setting. G4H volunteers wil be assigned to school, after-school and community garden sites, and will assist G4H staff with events, organizational capacity building and other behind the scenes activities. Gardens 4 Humanity asks for 20 hours of volunteer time. No prior gardening or teaching experience is required. Training is also open to the general public on a space-available basis.
TRAINING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- To assist schools and communities with garden creation, management, and engaging kids on garden topics;
- To have more effective garden educators and leaders in our community;
- To enable school and community garden sites to be used on a year round basis by the teachers, students and community members;
- To assist the community in growing more healthy produce for children and community members;
- To use sustainable practices in the upkeep and maintenance of the sites;
- To increase community ownership and involvement in the sites.
HOW TO REGISTER
You must fill out an application (97kb PDF) if you plan to attend the full 20 hour course. Download an application here and bring it with you to the training, or drop it off at Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue. Applications also are available for pick-up at CCE or GIAC. Applications will be reviewed to evaluate your level of interest and commitment. (Note: no prior experience is required). Upon enrollment in the program, participants may be required to get a background check if working with children.
- Training participants must be able to attend 4 of 10 sessions between April 2012 and March 2013.
- Training sessions may be open to the public for drop-in students if the session is not full.
- Trainings will be offered on a sliding scale of $5-$25 for each session. Scholarships are also available.
- Previous G4H volunteer trainees will be eligible for 2 free classes.
2012 classes
All G4H Trainings are open to the general public. Students who attend 20 or more hours of training can become official Gardens 4 Humanity volunteers and educators and can become a part of our movement. Classes cost $5-$25/session (see below) and some scholarships are available. Fee supports infrastructure development for G4H gardens in the community.
Beginning Gardener I
Saturday April 14, 10:00am-4:00pm
at Ithaca Children's Garden in Cass Park (rain location is CCE-Tompkins, 615 Willow Ave, Ithaca)
This class will cover spring gardening basics including choosing appropriate spring crops, choosing a garden preparation technique that's right for you, planting, using cold frames, seed starting, up potting, and identifying your soil type. Class is open to the public and the suggested cost is $20/person. To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292.
Beginning Gardener II
Thursday April 26, 6:00-9:00pm
at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca
This class will cover garden design and planning for maximum food production. We will discuss ways to create beautiful and productive food gardens on a budget. Class is open to the public and the suggested cost is $10/person. To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292.
Beginning Gardener III
Saturday, May 12, 10:00am -4:00pm
at the Ithaca Children's Garden at Cass Park Rt. 89
This class will cover basic raised bed construction, building and using trellises, summer crops, climate & microclimate. Class will be open to the public and the suggested cost is $20. In case of heavy rain, class will be relocated to CCE-Tompkins, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292.
New Volunteer Orientation & G4H Overview
Tuesday, May 22, 6:00-9:00pm
at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca
FREE! An overview of the G4H Program and discussion of various volunteer opportunities in the community. Required for all new G4H volunteers.
Herbs, Perennials & Permaculture
Saturday, June 16, 10:00am-4:00pm
at the Ithaca Children's Garden at Cass Park Rt. 89
This hands-on class will cover perennials as an easier and more sustainable way of growing food; growing herbs and perennial vegetables, introduction to permaculture, Herb Spiral construction . Class is open to the public and the suggested cost is $20/person. To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292. In case of heavy rain, class will be relocated to CCE-Tompkins, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca.
Food Justice
Tuesday, June 26, 6:30-8:30pm
at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca
This class will explore the Food Justice Movement, Race and Class in the Food System, Farm Bill and Farm subsidies and their relationship to the food pyramid. Class is open to the public and the suggested cost is $10.
To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292.
G4H Garden Tour & Good Food Film Festival
Summer 2012 Date, Time and Location TBA
Contact sapsquatch7@gmail.com for more information
Sustainable Food Systems & Food Businesses
Tuesday July 10, 6:30-8:30pm
at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca
This class will explore sustainable food systems, farmers' markets & innovative food businesses, employment opportunities in the food system and more. Class is open to the public and the suggested cost is $10. To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292.
Fall Planting & Harvesting
Saturday August 11, 10:00am -4:00pm
at the Ithaca Children's Garden at Cass Park Rt. 89
This hands-on class will explore fall planting, harvesting and drying herbs, solar dehydrator construction. Class will be open to the public and the suggested cost is $20. To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292. In case of heavy rain, class will be relocated to CCE-Tompkins, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca.
Local Foods & Using Your Garden Produce
Saturday, August 21, 6:30-8:30pm
at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca
This class will explore local foods, nutrition, eating seasonally and cooking from the garden, G4H volunteers assigned to afterschools & Iron Chef. Class is open to the public and the suggested cost is $10.
To sign up, call G4H at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, (607) 272-2292.
Childcare will be provided during each session. Please let us know when you register if you need childcare, for how many children and the ages of each child. We will also work with participants who may have transportation challenges.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County provides equal program and opportunities. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or qualified disability.
