Two years ago I started a program called Garden Ambassadors. Fifth grade and sixth grade students apply at the beginning of the school year, with a written application and interview, to be garden representatives. All year long they receive special training from me as they assume certain leadership responsibilities related to the school garden.
One of their jobs is giving the “Monday Morning Garden Report.” Every Monday morning one of our principals welcomes children back to school on the school-wide intercom and goes over relevant information for the week. Then the garden ambassador takes the mic (phone):
Here is this week’s report:
Good morning! My name is Ethan, and I am a sixth grade garden ambassador.
Spring has come to the garden. The table has a fresh coat of stain, the tulips are blooming and new plantings are going in. In the habitat garden, there is newly planted lavender, monkey flower, butterfly weed and germander—all plants that attract butterflies. Along the riverbed are also three new, native plants: deer grass, mountain savory and “blue pozo” sage. You might also notice the wildflowers are starting to come up in Mrs. Dawson’s bed too. Finally, some strawberries were transplanted to the left of the pergola.
Thank you for observing the “caution tape” at the far end of the garden. This space is being readied for a beautiful gate being created by the world-renowned artist James Hubbell.
That’s all for now! See you in the garden!
What's not to like? 
I was in school that day and was able to hear the morning report… Ethan did a great job! I love that the whole school heard about the wonderful things happening right outside!
I too like that the kids start the week with the “garden news.” It’s a neat practice to share with others through this blog. I plan to make a variety of postings on all of the things garden ambassadors do. 🙂
Great post and I love the picture of Ethan.
Thanks! It’s fun to share these ideas, now that we’ve done them for a while and they’ve become part of our weekly routine. 🙂 Garden Ambassadors all started at CEP, so thanks for that opportunity to attend the conference.
T,
I predict E will be speaking and people listening to him all his life. dad
He is certainly getting the experience. Tomorrow he gives a tour to a pediatrician who is at school for the day!
Good seeing you in MG training today Trish. Wanna trade jobs? Thanks for the smiles.
Stan
You too! I’ll hold on to my position, thanks, but it sounds like you also have very good work. 🙂 I’m eager to start working with the school garden committee once we graduate. A call for a consultant came in last week when I was training on the hort-line, and it got me excited about working with other schools! See you next week!