Nancy's Garden is the newest feature of the Governor and First Lady's Math & Science Initiative. Nancy's Garden provides a gardening experience for every 4th grade student by supplying grow boxes, seeds, lesson plans and instructions for each classroom. This opportunity will help create the next generation of gardeners growing their own food in Montana. Young students will get excited about studying math and science, engaged in healthy eating, and interested in future careers in our state.
Each participating 4th grade classroom will receive grow boxes and classroom materials including a teacher's guide, seeds, and posters.
Developed with the help of gardening and nutrition experts, the teacher's guide includes:
- Detailed growing instructions, tips, and soil procurement guidelines for successful gardening in the classroom
- A series of lesson plans that take students through planting, growing, and finally eating produce from Nancy's Garden
- Resources and ideas for finding volunteers that connect the classroom garden to the community
Ordering Information
Nancy's Garden is targeted for 4th grade classrooms, however, the materials are available to anyone who would like to use them.
Schools, programs, and organizations are invited to fill out an order form to receive Nancy's Garden boxes and accompanying classroom materials.
Garden Box Options:
Double Nancy's Garden Box
Dimensions: 20" x 12" x 7"
Recommended: 8 students per box
Single Nancy's Garden Box
Dimensions: 12" x 6" x 8"
Recommended: 4 students per box
*The Large Nancy's Garden Boxes (24" x 24" x 8") are no longer available. However, you can order them directly from the company, Eleanor's Garden, by clicking here.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are a great way to connect the classroom garden to the community. Volunteers are encouraged to contact your local school to see how you can be involved in this hands-on educational opportunity.
Please see the map below for participating schools and use the Office of Public Instruction's Find-A-School tool for contact information. If your local school isn't involved, consider inviting them to fill out a request form.
View Nancy's Garden Locations in a full screen map
Grant Opportunities
The School Garden Grant Program is a collaboration between Whole Kids Foundation, Whole Foods Market and FoodCorps to provide grants of $2,000 to support school garden projects.
Awesome Food is now accepting applications for $1,000 microgrants. Every month, one microgrant will be given for an awesome idea involving food.
