We build organic, edible gardens in preschools.

Every child is deserving of a natural, beautiful, developmentally support care environment regardless of their socio economic means.

OUR MISSION

To build organic gardens in preschools and create direct access to fresh fruits and vegetation to lower food insecurity as well as promote the positive impact composting has on our planet so we can build a generation of organic vegetable growers, eaters and environmentally supportive humans.

Why have an edible organic garden in all schools?

Because consumption of vegetables are essential for healthy bodies and brains. Most children are not interested in eating veggies until they experience cultivating the growth of them. All children should have access to organic fruits and vegetables and we at The Little Village Gardens aim to provide not only access to them but provide the knowledge it takes to grow your own organic fruits and vegetables. Why? Because growing your own food cuts down on grocery cost & environmental footprint.

Key Studies

Exposure to healthy foods, moderate physical activity, and positive social interactions while gardening in childhood can lead to a lifetime of gardening, as evidenced by semi-structured interviews conducted with participants ranging in age from 18-85 years old (Gross & Lane, 2007). In a nationwide telephone survey of 2,004 respondents, people who reported picking vegetables, taking care of plants, or living next to a garden in childhood were more likely to continue gardening as they aged and to form lasting positive relationships with gardens and trees (Lohr & Pearson-Mims, 2005).

Students who are actively engaged in garden projects tend to enjoy learning and show improved attitudes towards education.

The process of gardening gives empowering experiences. Students engaged in designing and maintaining gardens show an increase in self-efficacy. Plus, active gardening, such as picking flowers or planting trees as a child, has been shown to have a strong influence on how natural areas and gardens are valued in adulthood.

A study of children with learning disabilities who engaged in gardening found that they increased their nonverbal communication skills, developed awareness of the advantages of order, learned how to participate in a cooperative effort, and formed positive relationships with adults.

Juvenile offenders who enjoy gardening show improved self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and attitudes towards school.

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OUR COMMITMENT

The Little Village Gardens bridges the gap between high quality child care and environmentally friendly indoor and outdoor play spaces and pre schools who do not have the financial means to provide them to their students.