NJ FARM TO SCHOOL AND EDIBLE JERSEY ANNOUNCE 2012 SCHOOL GARDEN AWARD

Beginning March 1, entries will be accepted for the first ever “School Garden of the Year Award” presented by Edible Jersey Magazine and the New Jersey Farm to School Network. Participating sponsors include Whole Foods Market and Applegate Farms.

Open to any New Jersey preK-12 school, applicants must have had a school garden open during the 2011-2012 school year and be able to provide documentation through photos and video of its uses and existence.

Gardens must be in established indoor or outdoor settings on school grounds. Raised beds and container gardens are considered acceptable for application to the contest.

Entries will be judged by a committee of representatives of the following organizations: Edible Jersey, New Jersey Farm to School Network, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, NJ Nursery and Landscape Association, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, the Princeton School Garden Cooperative and the NJ Alliance for Environmental Education.

The winning garden will receive a minimum $1,000 prize at an award ceremony hosted at the garden during “Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week” in September. Two runner up gardens will each receive an award minimum of $250 to be put towards garden supplies.

To apply, click this link and follow the instructions: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BQJ2M2P

CONTEST DEADLINE: JUNE 1, 2012

For more information, email info@njfarmtoschool.org or call 609.577.5113.

NOTE: In addition to this newly established award, the New Jersey Department of Health is surveying schools across the state to get a snapshot of how many school gardens there are in NJ schools. Click the ad on the top right of our homepage to fill out a survey if you are involved with a school garden or please pass it on if you know of one in your area that should be counted. Completed surveys should be emailed to info@njfarmtoschool.org.