The 2022 SGSO Leadership Institute will prioritize school district-based programs. These are programs that have district school garden program staff, have a strong partnership with one or more school districts, or are working toward partnership with a school district. Each team invited to attend will send 2 key leaders to the Institute. Teams can be comprised of two people from the same organization, or two individuals from different organizations who work closely together to support multiple school gardens in their region.

We are particularly seeking teams interested in enhancing:
– Trainings for garden-based educators planned for 2023
– Educational program design
– Strategies and systems to support multiple school gardens

Working Together to Build a Diverse Cohort, and an Equitable and Inclusive Event: Having a group that brings a diversity of perspectives will make the Institute, and also the broader school garden movement, stronger. Life Lab is committed to advancing equity and inclusion as we cultivate children’s love of learning, nourishing food, and nature through garden-based education. Fulfilling this mission requires that we learn about and confront barriers of oppression. We understand that racism is at the core of many intersecting inequities. For these reasons, we are particularly seeking applicants from communities where systemic racism creates barriers to nature, wellness and experiential education (such as a lack of access to nature areas, to fresh fruits and vegetables, or to experiential education programs). We will also take into consideration other identities and life experiences that are often underrepresented and/or marginalized in the field of garden education. Here is a study where you can learn more about the need for antiracism in the field of environmental education: http://beetlesproject.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Examining-Equitable-and-Inclusive-Work-Environments-in-Environmental-Education.pdf