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Garden grant application available online; due Dec. 23, 2011
WEST CHICAGO, IL — Burpee Home Gardens® is now accepting applications for the 2012 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award. In its third year, the “I Can Grow” program continues to support urban school and community gardens in cities across the United States. To date, the “I Can Grow” program has provided more than 8,000 vegetable and herb plants to help create 16 gardens nationwide.
The 2012 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award will be presented to established or start-up school and community gardens that demonstrate well-developed and staffed plans for a youth-centered educational program, with an emphasis on nutrition and food production, environmental awareness, social responsibility and scholastic integration.
“Our ‘I Can Grow’ program is literally planting seeds of inspiration for the next generation of gardeners,” says George Ball, chairman and CEO of W. Atlee Burpee & Co. “We are delighted to include the new BOOST collection of high-nutrition vegetables and to see the communities we serve enjoy results that are healthy and delicious."
Two grand-prize winners will be awarded up to 500 vegetable and herb plants, including the Burpee BOOST collection, and $2,500 in garden supplies. They also will receive on-site assistance for initial garden layout and installation from the experts at Burpee Home Gardens, 5 gallons of Daniels® Plant Food, one hose-end sprayer and a Flip Video™ camera to document the garden’s progress throughout the year. In addition, three runner-up winners will receive 500 vegetable and herb plants, including the Burpee BOOST collection, 5 gallons of Daniels® Plant Food, one hose-end sprayer and a Flip Video camera.
Educators and community garden leaders can visit www.burpeehomegardens.com to download the application and review eligibility requirements. All entries must be postmarked by Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. Winners will be announced no later than the week of Feb. 6, 2012.
Since its launch in 2010, the Burpee Home Gardens “I Can Grow” program has affected thousands of children and communities across the country, including those in Baltimore; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Minneapolis; Nashville, Tenn.; New York; Tampa Bay, Fla.; and Washington, D.C. To learn about the impact of the “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award program on previous participants, visit the Burpee Home Gardens blog.
The “I Can Grow” program focuses on four key areas of interest known as the Four E’s —
- Education – Learn through community and youth gardening projects across the nation.
- Eating better – Learn where your food comes from, and understand the benefits and values of adding fresh vegetables and fruits to your diet.
- Environment – Homegrown food production reduces food’s carbon footprint.
- Economy – Supplement your food bill with our ongoing tips and tricks that help gardeners get the most from their vegetable gardens and save money.
About Burpee Home Gardens: Burpee Home Gardens is a program of garden-ready vegetable, herb and annual flower plants available nationally at retail garden centers. Backed by the 135-year history of Burpee, the first name in home gardening, Burpee Home Gardens provides gardeners with time-tested varieties and information, ideas and inspiration for success. For more information, visit burpeehomegardens.com.
About Burpee BOOST: Burpee BOOST high-nutrition vegetables provide higher levels of antioxidants than any other vegetable varieties currently available. BOOST varieties include Cherry Punch tomatoes, Power Pops tomatoes, Solar Power tomatoes, Gold Standard cucumber, Sweet Heat pepper and Healing Hands salad mix — none of which are GMOs.
About Burpee: Burpee was founded in 1876 by seed pioneer W. Atlee Burpee. The company remains privately owned by George Ball, a third-generation seedsman, who serves as chairman of W. Atlee Burpee & Co. and is past president of The American Horticultural Society. Today, Burpee is the largest, most progressive garden company in North America offering seeds, garden plants and gardening supplies through the company website (www.burpee.com), direct-mail catalogs, and via retail garden centers nationwide. Burpee offers both heirloom and hybrid varieties, and is credited for introducing the world to numerous ornamental and edible breakthrough varieties during its 135-year history. Burpee’s headquarters, display gardens and research farm are located in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
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