Burpee Announces 2011 'I Can Grow' Youth Garden Award

Applications are being accepted now for this expanded urban school and community garden program.
Burpee Home Gardens is now accepting applications for the 2011 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award. An extension of last year’s “I Can Grow” program, the Youth Garden Award is intended to sponsor and support urban school and community gardens in cities across the United States in 2011.
The 2011 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Awards will be presented to established or start-up programs 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
The 2011 program will continue the theme Burpee Home Gardens established in 2010.
“We launched the ‘I Can Grow’ program last year to support home vegetable gardening among younger and novice gardeners, and we were overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and support we experienced,” said George Ball, chairman and CEO of the W. Atlee Burpee Company.
Those selected will be awarded up to 500 vegetable and herb plants and $2,500 in garden supplies. They also will receive:
On-site assistance for initial garden layout and installation from Burpee experts
Five gallons of Daniels Plant Food (a sustainable fertilizer) and one hose-end sprayer
A Flip™ camera to document the garden’s progress throughout the year
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. 3, 2010.