Project Name: Grow It Forward

2017 Grant Application

Project name: Grow It Forward

County: Cass

Project Coordinator: Alan Zuk

Lead Organization: NDSU Department of Plant Sciences

Address: Dept. 7670, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Telephone: 701.231.7540 Email: [email protected]

1. Briefly describe your garden project including its major goals. Please include a description of activities and the location of the garden (for example, Jefferson Elementary School). (150 words or less)

The Grow It Forward program teaches NDSU students the value of public service as they assist me each spring in producing vegetable bedding plants for community gardens in Fargo and across Eastern North Dakota. In regards to this grant, I will focus on the community garden at Nativity Parish in Fargo. The Nativity garden is 5600 sq. ft. and planted with seedlings provided by our program. The gardeners involved at Nativity are not required to be members of the parish. They decide what to plant each year and the harvest is shared among all people involved in the project. Many of the activities such as watering, weeding, harvesting, and maintaining the raised beds involve children from age three to the late-teens. The garden is located at 1825 11th St S, Fargo, ND 58103, on the southeast corner of the property.

2. How will your project make a difference to its children? (150 words or less)

Many of the children involved in the Nativity garden are new Americans, primarily from Bhutan and East Africa. Their families came from agricultural-based societies that grew food for subsistence. Although their conditions are far improved in the U.S., this project allows the families to pass their gardening skills onto their young children and to teach the value of self-reliance. The American children gain the same skills and are exposed to fun and enjoyable gardening activities before they develop a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits. The children also learn the value of diversity and teamwork at a young age.

3. How will your project make a difference in your community? (150 words or less)

In addition to growing healthy produce, the people involved develop new friendships through their weekly gardening activities and potluck dinners at Nativity. This project provides an excellent opportunity for those involved to feel like they belong to a community. The children also learn the value of sharing as the excess produce is dropped off at various food pantries in Fargo.

4. Please estimate the number of participants directly involved in the project: Young children (3–12 years old): 15 Teens (13–17 years old): 5 Adults: 20

5. Briefly list any partners (such as 4-H, FFA, school, church, garden center, parks department) that are involved. Briefly describe their roles in the project. Be very brief.

I am a faculty member in the Dept. of Plant Science at NDSU. I have a close connection to the Grow It Forward program and consider myself a partner with the Nativity gardeners. Our Department Chair, Dr. Richard Horsley, mentioned to me that he is in full support of the Grow It Forward project.

6. Budget

Expenditures Amount

Seeds $50 Potting soil 200 Peat pots 150 Plastic flats 50 Flat liners 50 Labels 10

TOTAL $510