New Jersey Agricultural Society
609-462-9691
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      • Annual Report 2020
      • Now Hiring: Truck Driver
    • Learning Through Gardening >
      • Learning Through Gardening At Home
      • Virtual Lessons
      • Apply for a Garden Grant
      • Our Participating Schools
      • Why Start a School Garden
      • Teacher Tool Box >
        • Basic Gardening Lessons
        • Teaching Math In The Garden
        • Teaching Science in the Garden
        • STEM Design Challenges for the Garden
        • Teaching Social Studies in the Garden
        • Teaching Language Arts in the Garden
        • Teaching Health and Nutrition in the Garden
        • Songs and Poetry for Preschool & Kindergarten
      • Children's Book: From The Garden State to Your Plate
      • Video: Food Doesn't Grow in the Supermarket
      • Recipes for Cool-Season Vegetables
    • Leadership Development Program >
      • Program Information
      • Apply for Class 11
      • NJALDP Blog
  • Events
    • Gala 2020
    • NJ Gleaning Week & Hunger Action Month
    • Christmas Tree Season
  • Awards
    • Award Nomination Forms
    • 2019 Gold Medallion Award
    • 2019 President's Award
    • 2019 Century Farm Award
    • 2019 Phillip Alampi Industry Marketing Award
    • 2019 Tony Russo Farmers Marketing Award
    • 2019 Neil Robson Farmers Against Hunger Award
    • 2020 Teacher of the Year
  • Get Involved
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    • Host an Outreach Event
    • Now Hiring: Gleaning Coordinator
Why Start a School Garden?
A school garden is often a child’s first connection to agriculture, showing children where their food really comes from and how it grows. It teaches them that agriculture is vital to everyone.
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A school garden can teach healthy eating habits. Children who are given the opportunity to taste fruits and vegetables they have grown at school are more likely to eat them, and to ask their parents to buy them. 
Research shows that a children who garden at school eat more fruits and vegetables, and that school gardening increases children’s interest in and improves their attitudes toward healthy eating. 
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Research shows that students who have school garden programs incorporated into their science curriculum score significantly higher on science achievement tests than students who are taught by strictly traditional classroom methods. ​​
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Gardening improves mental health and relieves stress!
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Soil makes you happy!  Scientists have found that harmless bacteria in the soil called Mycobacterium vaccae can increase serotonin levels in parts of the brain that control cognitive function and mood—much like antidepressant drugs.  Gardeners inhale the bacteria and absorb it into their skin. Tests on rats have shown that the natural effects of the soil bacteria antidepressant can be felt for up to three weeks.
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A school garden takes kids outdoors. Gardening is real-life physical activity done in the fresh air.
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 In the garden, children learn to work together toward a common goal. If children are given the responsibility of maintaining the garden, they will learn to assign tasks, share work, and take turns.
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Gardening teaches children that they must care for their environment and preserve clean air, water, and soil.  A school garden gives students pride in their school and community.
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PROGRAMS

  • Farmers Against Hunger
  • Learning Through Gardening
  • NJ Agricultural Leadership  Development Program

EVENTS

Gala 2020
Gleaning Week
​Christmas Tree Season

GET INVOLVED

Donate
Volunteer to Glean
Gleaning FAQ
Become a Member - Join Us!
Copyright 2020, all rights reserved. NJAS is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, EIN 21-0634544.
New Jersey Agricultural Society  •  (609) 462-9691  •  njagriculturalsociety@gmail.com
1200 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505