PS 154 Wins Garden Grant

PS 154's 2010 Earth Parade, from the 5th Grade's Blog.

Congratulations to PS 154, which has been awarded one of 29 grants from GrowNYC and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City!

According to the Daily News, GrowNYC reports there are currently 300 gardens at the city’s approximately 1,600 schools.

The garden at PS 154 was opened a year ago, on Earth Day 2010. All grades, pre-K through 5th grade, maintains stewardship of a garden bed. The students start seeds in the classroom, prepare garden beds, replant seedlings, weed, water, and more.

The garden program is run by parent volunteers who coordinate with teachers, all with the support and backing of the school principle and staff. Garden Committee member Eva Lewandowski applied for the grant, which will be used to raise the school's existing garden beds.

"Last year we had two successful harvest events where students enjoyed pesto, mixed green salad, and mint tea," Marian Cooke Marinovich, chair of the Garden Committee at PS 154. "We hope to do the same this year."

The grants will be awarded twice a year as part of Grow to Learn, a citywide school gardening program started last year by GrowNYC and the Mayor’s Fund, reports the News. Bank of America is funding the first three grant cycles.