Summary of Youth/Community Garden Efforts in CES Based on a Zoomerang survey to CES colleagues, Jan & Feb 2012 Results compiled by Kadi Row

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1 Summary of Youth/Community Garden Efforts in CES Based on a Zoomerang survey to CES colleagues, Jan & Feb 2012 Results compiled by Kadi Row In the past year (2011), did you conduct programming in community or youth gardens? 83 Respondents - 66 Yes, 17 No o 13 reported as part of an office team, balance as individuals o 7 held Statewide positions, balance were county based 92 total garden efforts were described by 66 respondents Represents programming in 45 of 72 counties (63% of all counties) Based on garden titles and descriptions provided: o 60% (55) are predominantly community garden projects o 33% (30) are predominantly youth garden projects Of which 50% (15) are specifically school gardens o 8% (7) involve distinct youth and community garden component Estimate the number of individuals reached through direct contact with Extension programming through this garden effort in 2011? 6,750 Adults (rough estimate) 13% of respondents reached no adults 56% of respondents reached between 1-99 adults 25% of respondents reached between 100 and 299 adults 6% of respondents reached 300+ adults 3,300 youth (rough estimate) 25% of respondents reached no youth 52% of respondents reached between 1-99 youth 21% of respondents reached between 100 and 299 youth 2% of respondents reached 300+ youth

2 How would you characterize Extension s involvement in this garden? 7% 4% This is a major effort created and/or led by Extension 9% Extension is one of several key partners in this garden 46% Extension is a partner in this garden, but others take the lead 26% The garden is a major project of others, and Extension becomes involved in select educational efforts n = 92 garden projects Extension's involvement in this garden is very minor Which Extension colleagues were involved in this effort in? Check all that apply. Ag/Horticulture Educator Master Gardener Volunteers WNEP Educators WNEP Coordinator VISTA/Americorps Volunteers 4- H Youth Development Educator Family Living Educator Community Development Educator State Specialists 4- H Leaders Other* Number of projects reporting this educator's involvement * Other most often referred to partners outside Extension 2

3 What roles did Extension colleagues play in the garden effort? 40% Plans/conducts education programs Coordinates/organizes/supports garden efforts with partners 6% Conducts physical garden planning/ construction/maintenance 6% 36% Provides technical assistance 12% Trains/oversees volunteers Breakdown of roles by program area / position (Legend above) Ag/Horticulture Educator Master Gardener Volunteer 11% 11% 18% 25% 35% 7% 30% 27% 36% WNEP Educator/Coordinator Family Living Educator 67% 33% 3% 30% 67% 3

4 Breakdown of roles by program area / position (Legend on previous page) 4HYD Educator, 4H Leader CNRD Educator 50% 31% 4% 13% 33% 8% 61% VISTA/Americorps Volunteer State Specialist 39% 50% 11% 17% 33% 50% 4

5 What were Extension s main programming objectives in this garden? Check all that apply. Teach gardening skills Provide nutrition education Provide opps for physical activity Opps for lifestyle changes for healthy living Coordinate growing food for food pantries Provide opps for youth development Coordinate growing food for institutions Provide opps for self- suf^iciency Teach life skills Provide opps for community development Provide coordination of rental plots Provide opps for entrepreneurship Other* Number of projects reporting this programming objective *Other. Please describe: Building a community group that can take leadership with the community garden Focus on Hispanic families who did not have access to garden plots Employability skills Showcase how the Spooner School Garden and Farm to School project is being used for all of the above objectives. The efforts at Spooner can be a model example for other schools Used in training master gardener volunteers and for public programs connect young children to plants Provided the garden coordinator support and direction 5

6 Do you think your work in this garden is having an impact? 92 total responses 90 answered yes Please describe what impact you think the garden is having. For example, have you conducted outcome evaluations related to your objectives? Made observations? Received comments from participants or partners? Other evidence? Responses to this question were characterized by the level of impact provided by respondents. It will potentially be useful to contact some respondents for more detail on the evidence of impact or methods used -- for example, where specific evaluation methods (e.g., surveys) were referenced, though no data was provided, or where impact statements were provided without detail on methods. 13 respondents gave specific detail or a link to the evaluation, success story or impact report We have conducted evaluation and submitted success stories the last two years. Research results have been accepted for publication in JHEN. 23 respondents provided a statement of evidence/results from an evaluation, survey, or observation, though did not provide detail on methodology The nutrition staff at the school gained confidence and experience in using locally grown food and preparing more of the food they serve from scratch. Residents (both adults and children) have learned how to garden; grew their own produce which supplemented their family s groceries. 9 respondents referenced a specific impact/evaluation/survey, though did not provide the results of the evaluation Participants are surveyed at the end of the growing season so we can capture what they are learning and what their successes are. I ve sent out 2 evaluations. 38 respondents referenced anecdotal feedback, such as comments from participants or partners WIC participants have told us they are trying more new vegetables. Over the years, we have received many comments from teachers, parents and even neighbors. 6

7 10 respondents indicated there was sustained or increased funding or support over time for the garden efforts Grant funding and local dollars are increasing. The number of groups utilizing the garden remains steady and indicates the appeal and value for such an afterschool program. 11 respondents provided a general statement from the educator that the project was successful I believe that having kids working in the gardens opens them up to trying more and different fruits and vegetables that they might not have tried in the past. The youth at the garden seem to enjoy working on the garden and garden art projects. 16 respondents provided statement of potential outcomes or goals, but no indication of whether these outcomes were measured People can provide food for themselves and others. We would also like to know if you had significant programming efforts in youth or community gardens in previous years? 83 total responses 58 answered yes 7

8 45 counties indicated garden programming in 2011 Adams Buffalo/Jackson/Pepin/Trempealeau Burnett Calumet/Outagamie/Winnebago Chippewa Columbia Columbia/Dodge Dane Door Douglas Eau Claire Fond du Lac Fond du Lac/Green Lake Iron Jackson Juneau Kewaunee Langlade Lincoln/Marathon Marinette/Oconto Menominee Menominee/Shawano Milwaukee Oneida Outagamie Ozaukee Pepin Pierce Polk Portage Price Racine Rock Rusk Sauk Taylor Trempealeau Vilas Walworth Waukesha Winnebago 8