Have you heard about the community gardens in Camden, NJ?
Isn't it time you see them for yourself & meet a some gardeners?
Click to Visit Blog Page for All Info/Updates
Click to Download Garden Tour Map/Schedule
Join us for the Full Tour 8:30 am - 12:30pm or see the schedule to JOIN US WHEN YOU CAN (see map/schedule for timing and location details). We will be visiting and driving by just a sampling to feature the 120+ community/learning gardens growing food in Camden, NJ. At 12:30pm, join us for a healthy locally grown lunch at the Camden Children's Garden. Delicious garden snacks served through tour.
Student Conservation Association's Summer Jobs Program & Camden Children's Garden Youth Program enables local youth to "Show the Good in Their City" - helping to GROW Food and Hope!
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 USDA awarded $292,000 to the Camden City Garden Club 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!
First Lady Michelle Obama's book, "American Grown", features the Camden Children's Garden (CCG), Camden City Garden Club, Inc (CCGC) and Camden's Community Garden's Program. In addition to highlighting other gardens throughout the nation, 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". READ MORE - FIRST LADYs BOOK and CCGCs Inclusion!
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. Video of Youth Success Story
Since WHOLE FOODS MARKET Mid-Atlantic Region announced the Camden Childrens Garden as the chosen non-profit for a multi-year partnership, Whole Foods Staff has been out several times to volunteer to help GROW Camden's Community Gardens! SEE PHOTOS from the TEAM BUILD on Sept 6th Urban Mini-Farm in Camden, NJ.
