Community and School Gardens Growing Healthy Communities

Background: Health and Nutrition Adult obesity rates exceed 25% in 31 states and 20% in 49 states and Washington, D.C. – Arkansas ranks 10 th in the nation – In 2009, less than 14% of adults consumed fruit 2 or more times per day and vegetables 3 or more times per day Less than 24% consumed fruit 2 times per day Less than 29% consumed vegetables 3 times per day

Background: Food Insecurity 49.1 million (12.2%) live in food insecure households, 14.6% at least some of the time – Arkansas ranked 3 rd (15.9%) in the nation 23.5 million (8.4%) of U.S. population live in low-income areas, more than a mile from a supermarket. – million do not have access – to a vehicle - food deserts

Background: Physical Activity 2005: 10.3% of adults engage in no moderate-to- vigorous activity in leisure time, occupation or transportation – higher in females (12%) 2008: 25.4 % participate in no leisure time physical activity – 29.3% of Arkansans Decreased from 31% in 1989 to 28% in 2000 to 25% in 2008

Background: Other Key Issues Community Engagement Knowledge about How to Grow food Farmers of Tomorrow? Environmental Resources Green Space Financial Resources Economic Development

Obama’s! “Statistics…show that the Obama’s and White House staff were able to convert an initial out- of-pocket investment of $200 into over a half ton of fresh, chemical free produce. Imagine the savings the country could make if millions of Americans followed their example this growing season.” - Roger Doiron, Kitchen Gardener’s International

Community Gardens Any piece of land gardened by a group of people American Community Gardening Association

Benefits of Community Gardens Stimulates Social Interaction, Community Organizing and Community Engagement PRODUCES Nutritious FOOD! – Encourages Community’s Food Security – Increases Access to Nutritious Food Improves the Health of the Community and Its People – Beautifies Neighborhoods – Preserves Green Spaces – Creates Opportunities for Exercise, Therapy, Education and Recreation

Steps to Starting a Community Garden Organize – Committee of people – resources, land – funding, structure Plan – Site design: sunshine, water, shade, security, children, disabled individuals Prepare – Develop site, purchase equipment Communicate – Determine guidelines, community outreach

Community Garden Models On Personal Property: Oakhurst Community Garden - Decatur, GA As a City Park: Two Rivers Community Garden and Dunbar Garden Project - Little Rock, AR Initiated by Individuals, Neighborhoods, Communities, For-Profit and Non-Profit Owned by an Institution: College Campuses, Hospitals, Private Companies On school grounds: School Gardens

Child Health Trends Nationally, approximately 16% of children and adolescents ages 6-19 years are overweight or obese. – When an individual is overweight as a child, he or she is more likely to be overweight as an adult, causing higher risks of health problems. In Arkansas, approximately 38% of public school- age children and adolescents are overweight or obese. – In 2009, less than 10% of youth, grades 9-12 consumed fruit 2 times per day and vegetables 3 times per day Less than 24% consumed fruit 2 times per day Less than 10% consumed vegetables 3 times per day

Farm to School Farm to school (FTS) is a national movement to bring healthy, locally grown produce to school children in order to improve child health, strengthen family farms and support community- based food systems. Farm to School programs emphasize the use of multiple social and physical environments to both educate and teach new life skills that encourage and reinforce healthy eating behaviors.

School Gardens On school grounds Involves students in the creation, planting, tending and harvesting For educational, health, and social enrichment purposes To promote a sense of community

Benefits of School Gardens Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables Increase knowledge, preferences, willingness to taste and intake of vegetables Enhance academic curricula Anecdotal evidence of increased school bonding – Potential to decrease student delinquency, substance abuse and school drop-out

School Garden Models Edible School Yard District-Wide Models in California Felder Farm, Little Rock Dunbar Garden Project, Little Rock Delta Garden Study, Arkansas Delta Region

Community and School Garden Resources American Community Gardening Association – Rebel Tomato: Online Tool California School Garden Network GardenABCs.org Kidsgardening.org ATTRA: National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

Arkansas Resources Apple Seeds, Inc. Arkansas Local Foods Initiative Arkansas Farm to School Steering Committee Arkansas Food Policy Council Arkansas Sustainability Network Arkansas Urban Gardening Education Resources Little Rock Urban Farming University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture – Cooperative Extension Service

Emily English Program Manager Delta Garden Study