$1.2 Million in Federal Funding Granted to Camden, NJ - See it on the GARDEN TOUR

$1.2 Million Dollars in Federal Grants Awarded to Camden, NJ

Includes NEW Gardening Programs, Hands-on Nutrition & Physical Education

See What's Growing in Camden ~ The Community Garden Tour Sept 12!

Over $1.2 million dollars was recently awarded in federal grants to the City of Camden, New Jersey. In Fall 2011, the US Department of Education granted approximately $900,000, to the Camden Board of Education to support Physical Education and to expand the Community/Learning Gardens to teach Camden school children hands-on nutrition. In August 2012, the Camden City Garden Club was awarded $292,000 by the USDA for a NEW Gardening Education Program to establish Camden Gardeners through the Entrepreneurial Gardening Program "Camden Grows".

These grants will be utilized over a three-year period and are awarded for Camden's accomplishments, which are worthy of recognition. Camden residents are "pulling themselves up by their boot straps" to grow hope through community gardening, nutrition education and now entrepreneurial gardening!

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO TOUR, WE CAN SCHEDULE COVERAGE AT YOUR CONVIENCE!

Let's show the good side of Camden! We need your help to do it!

SEE WHAT'S GROWING IN CAMDEN!

SEPTEMBER 12TH - Camden's Delicious Community Garden Tour!

Meet at 8:30 am, at the Camden Children's Garden for tours of the community gardens and then join us for lunch at the Camden Children's Garden. Delicious garden snacks served through tour.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO

$1.2 Million Food/Gardening Grants

USDA Grant for Entrepreneurial Gardening

On August 20th, the Camden Children's Garden announced a new grant awarded by the USDA for entrepreneurial gardening.

As part of the USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program, USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture, awarded 15 grants throughout the nation. Due to Camden's extreme need, and successful progress in community gardening/urban agriculture, the CCGC was chosen by the USDA to further expand the CCGC's Community Gardening Program. Through this initiative, "CAMDEN GROWS", the CCGC and partners will train, educate and support Camden gardeners to grow a surplus of food, for the people of Camden, NJ. The gardeners will also be trained as entrepreneurs in order to sell their crops for a profit. Stay tuned for a press release at CamdenChildrensGarden.wordpress.com/USDA.

(Download Advisory / Invitation for August 20th Announcement Event)

U.S. Department of Education Awards City of Camden Board of Education a 3-Year Grant Expanding CCGC's School/Community Gardens and Nutrition Education!

(Camden, N.J./Washington, D.C. - June 13, 2012) Through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, U.S. Department of Education awarded77 grants nationally, totaling more than $26.5 million to public schools and community-based organizations to initiate, expand and improve students in grades K-12's access to physical education programs, instruction on healthy eating and good nutrition. The Camden City Board of Education was the only school in New Jersey to be named as the recipient of this award. Due to the Camden City Garden Club's 28 years of experience community gardening and continued progress in nutrition education in Camden, this organization was chosen as to carry out this sustainable education initiative.

- DOWNLOAD PDF - U.S. Dept of Ed Funds Camden Education

OTHER GARDENING NEWS!

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMAs BOOK Features Camden Community Garden

ABC NEWS REPORTS FROM CAMDEN COMMUNITY GARDENS! - Watch Action News 6 reporting with Camden City Garden Club, featured in First Lady Obama's Book!

(Camden, N.J. / Washington, D.C - June 13, 2012) We are honored to announce First Lady Michelle Obama's book, American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America, features the Camden Children's Garden (CCG), Camden City Garden Club, Inc (CCGC) and Camden's Community Garden's Program. The book was released May 2012, and highlights the White House Garden and approximately a dozen gardens throughout the nation. On two powerful pages (photo left), readers learn about the CCG, the CCGC, 28 years of Community Gardening and Nutrition Education in the City of Camden, NJ. The book tells the story of Camden - a city rebuilding itself from "Poorest, Most Dangerous US City of Its Size and Top 9 US Food Deserts".

DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE - Camden in FIRST LADYs BOOK

Camden Teens Earn & Learn in CCGC/CCG Youth Program!

Video of Youth Success Story

The Youth Staff realize how fortunate they are to be gainfully employed due to the current turmoil of the US economy and consequently US Teen Employment. It has proven to be even more difficult for young people in Camden, NJ, as it is one of the nation's poorest, most dangerous cities, a high unemployment rate, and a steep high school dropout rate. However, the Youth Staff earn a paycheck, job experience and prepare for their careers, while growing the City of Camden through community gardening and nutrition education. Watch Youth Staff Success Story - Marchelle Roberts interns for Congress and featured on CNN. Youth Staff EARN while they LEARN! Youth Staff continue their education, earn an income, gain experience in their chosen profession, and take advantage of mentoring support. In addition to learning valuable life lessons and sustainability, the Youth Staff also enjoy educational and fun fieldtrips!