2009 CSGN School Garden of the Year
Eligibility, Awards, and Criteria

Eligiblity:

Open to California public, private, and charter schools, grades K-12, with instructional garden programs. Gardens should be used for academic instruction and must contain some form of edible crops.  School gardens in existence for less than two years are not eligible.

Judging Criteria:

Gardens will be judged by a panel of CSGN affiliates according to the criteria stated below.  School Gardens must meet minimum eligibility requirements to be considered by judges.

School gardens must:

• have been a current, working school garden during the 2008-2009 school year.
• belong to a California public, private or charter school. A school teaching any student age (grades K-12) is welcome to apply.
• be used as an instructional tool to enhance academic curriculum.
• produce at least some edible plants in the school garden to help students understand where their food comes from.
• have been sustained for a minimum of two years.

The CSGN School Garden of the Year will be awarded to the California school garden that best represents the mission of the California School Garden Network:  To create and sustain California school gardens to enhance Academic Achievement, A Healthy Lifestyle, Environmental Stewardship and Community and Social Development. 

Enhancement of student education (50%)

Successful demonstration of how the school garden has enhanced:
• Academic Achievement
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Environmental Stewardship
• Community and Social Development

Sustainability (35%)

Successful demonstration of school garden sustainability and potential for longevity over time.
• How the garden has been sustained over time
• Integration of the garden into the school culture
• How the school overcame barriers to create and sustain the garden

Other (15%)

• Partnerships
• Creativity
• Youth participation from planning to harvesting
• Parent involvement
• Use of resources
• Community involvement

Awards:

All teachers/group leaders who enter the contest will receive a certificate of participation signed by First Lady Maria Shriver and the Chair of the California School Garden Network (CSGN).

The school garden receiving the highest score will be recognized as the 2009 CSGN School Garden of the Year. The winner will receive the following awards and recognition:
• Public recognition and award presentation at the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Conference Luncheon on Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Rohnert Park (Sonoma County).  Two representatives of the winning school garden will receive complimentary tickets to attend the luncheon where they will be honored. 
• Will be featured on the CSGN and First Lady’s websites.
• A personal letter, signed photo and certificate from Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver.
• A personalized plaque for the winning garden.
• Public recognition and award presentation at the location of choice by a CSGN representative. Venues may include (but are not limited to) School Board/PTA Meetings, School Assemblies, City Council Meetings, Civic Service Organization  Meetings (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc.)

The 5 school gardens with the next highest scores will be featured on the CSGN website and receive a personal letter from First Lady Maria Shriver and the Chair of the California School Garden Network.

Other prizes to be announced.

Apply online at http://www.csgn.org/2009Application.php
Applications are due by 5 pm, Friday, October 2, 2009