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Parents' nonprofit showcases school gardens, partnerships and grant wins to Lake Forest District 67 board
Summary
Gardening to Grow told the board it has expanded gardens and programming to all four District 67 schools, reported more than $38,000 in Spirit of 67 grants support and outlined community partnerships aimed at integrating gardens into curriculum.
Gardening to Grow, a parent‑led nonprofit that the board recently approved as a district parent organization, described to the Lake Forest School District 67 Board on May 20 how its school gardens and community partnerships support hands‑on learning.
"Gardening to Grow started with a few garden beds being built at Sheridan Elementary for an Eagle Scout project," said Lisa Walsh, cofounder and president of Gardening to Grow. Walsh told the board that G2G has received more than $38,000 in grants from the Spirit of 67 and a $2,000 state grant to build a pollinator garden at Sheridan Elementary. She described partnerships with Lake Forest College, Quest Food and local nonprofit groups that provide interns, kitchen support and plant donations.
Walsh said G2G works to integrate garden activities into classroom instruction, noting a summer plan to collaborate with the district literacy coach on Amplify curriculum units for kindergarten through eighth grade. The group also plans visitor gardener assemblies, in‑school and after‑school programming at all four District 67 schools.
Board members thanked volunteers and noted the campus partnerships and donated furniture have helped prepare some renovation projects. The presentation concluded with the group presenting marigold seeds to the board as a symbol of student involvement and continued community support.
