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Home My WebLink About2015-03-11 PACKET 05.1.GroveJ Grove +ere Prlde and p r oSperity Meet To: Environmental Commission From: Emily Schmitz, Code Enforcement Date: March 11, 2015 Subject: 2015 Sustainability Award Nomination Background 2015 will mark the second annual presentation of the City's Sustainability Award to recognize a business, individual, or organization for their work or project reflecting sustainability, green, and environmentally - friendly practices and education. Nominations for the 2015 Sustainability Award were due by March 1, 2014. Diane Bezdicek and Pine Hill Elementary have been nominated for their Tower Garden project. Each grade level at Pine Hill Elementary School has a Tower Garden growing fresh produce including multiple types of lettuce, cilantro, parsley, basil, and an edible flower directly in the classroom. The garden is transferred to a new classroom after each growing cycle allowing each class to participate in the growing process. Recommendation Recommend that the City Council award Diane Bezdicek and Pine Hill Elementary School the 2015 Sustainability Award. Cottage � Grove h ere Pride and Prosperity Meet SUSTAINABLE CITY AWARDS The Sustainable City Awards program was developed in 2013 by the city s Environmental Commission, a citizens group appointed by the City Council, to promote sustainability in the community. The awards were established to recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals that are making Cottage Grove a more sustainable community through innovative programs and practices that demonstrate environmental leadership. The Sustainable City Awards are presented annually around Earth Day, April 22. Sustainable building design (new construction) Sustainable remodeling* Waste reduction, composting and recycling Water conservation Sustainable business practices Energy efficiency and conservation Use of renewable or alternative energy Environmental education and awareness Innovative storm water management practices Youth leadership (recognizing a group of young people or an individual under 18 years of age) Sustainable building and remodeling categories may include residential, commercial or institutional projects. 1. Application deadline: March 1 2. Applications will be judged on individual merits and not weighted against other applicants. 3. Projects must be located in the City of Cottage Grove, and must have been Initiated within the past three years. 4. Nominated businesses, organizations, or Individuals must operate /reside within the City of Cottage Grove. 5. The award program is open to businesses, non - profits, schools, and residents who may nominate themselves, or be nominated by another party. Page l 1 Sustainable City Awards www.cottage - grove.org Projects will be evaluated on the following criteria: • Environmental Stewardship —the responsible use and protection of the environment of Cottage Grove through conservation and sustainable practices • Level of commitment and leadership in sustainability • Innovation, Creativity, and Originality— discuss the methods, strategies, and innovative ideas • Economic benefits • Ability to serve as a model for others * Please note that projects that have already received an award may not be nominated in subsequent years. Page j 2 Sustainable City Awards www.cottage - grove.org CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE SUSTAINABLE CITY AWARDS AWARD CATEGORY APPLYING FOR: Environmental Education NOMINEE INFORMATION: Contact Person: Diane Bezdicek Organization Name: South Washington County Schools District 833 (if applicable) Pine Hill Elementary School Address: 9015 Hadley Avenue South Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Phone: Fax: Email: dbezdice @sowashco,kl2.mn.us Organization Website: (if applicable) Name of the project, program, or activity (as you would like to see it on the award): Living Healthy Tower Garden Project Project or program dates: Beginning: December 2014 Ending: Continuous *Project must be complete by submittal date of application Page j3 Sustainable City Awards www.cottage- grove.org NOMINATED BY: Name: City of Cottage Grove Relationship to nominee: SHIP Grant - Fiscal Partner Address: 12800 Ravine Parkway South Cottage Grove, MN 55106 Phone: 651- 458 -2876 Email: eschmitz @cottage - grove.org PLEASE PROVIDE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT OR PROGRAM (150 WORDS MAXIMUM). In January 2015, Pine Hill Elementary received six (one per grade level) state -of- the -art vertical aeroponic growing systems (Tower Gardens), which were set up and growing in classrooms by February. The objectives are: 1) Teach students about aeroponic gardening or growing plants in an air and mist environment without the use of soil, demonstrating a sustainable and environmentally - friendly way to grow produce. 2) Educate students on the Tower to Table process and the importance of understanding how produce is grown and brought to their tables. 3) Educate students on the importance of sustainable practices. 4) Offer students the ability to compare growing aeroponically versus traditional farming. A study done at the University of Mississippi found that on average plants grown on a Tower Garden have 30 percent higher yield, some as high as 65 percent. The plants also contained comparable, if not higher, levels of antioxidants. In order to provide hands -on learning, plans in the future include providing field trips for students to local CSA farms. 5) Educate students on the importance of good nutrition by growing their own fresh produce. 6) State education standards in math (measuring and ratios), science (seeds, plants, nutrients), health (nutrition and education), social studies (community connections and farming techniques) will be addressed. Page )4 Sustainable City Awards www.cottage- grove.org Please provide a written description of the nominated project or program, addressing the questions and evaluation criteria listed below (as appropriate). The description should not exceed two pages, and the text must be 10 point or larger. QUESTIONS 1. What motivated your organization or business to initiate the project or program? Education is the first step in combating obesity. Children who grow their own food tend to eat healthier. Education coupled with hands -on experience of planting their own food, watching it grow daily, and consuming produce full of valuable nutrients instead of foods high in sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars will offer a jump start In children making healthier choices. 2. What were the environmental goals and objectives? Educate students on where their fresh produce comes from and utilizing an innovative growing technique without soil - a sustainable and environmentally - friendly way to grow produce. 3. How was the program implemented? Funding from the Washington County SHIP Grant allowed for the purchase of six Tower Gardens. Teachers in all grade levels were trained and worked with students to plan the gardens and will continue to implement the towers into their curriculum. 4. What did the program accomplish ?(Include data demonstrating success, if available.) The program will be ongoing with a goal of creating a snack cart for the students from the produce they are growing in their classrooms. EVALUATION CRITERIA • Environmental Stewardship —the responsible use and protection of the environment of Cottage Grove through conservation and sustainable practices • Level of commitment and leadership in sustainability Innovation, Creativity, and Originality — discuss the methods, strategies, and innovative ideas • Economic benefits Ability to serve as a model for others Awards in all categories may or may not be given out each year, depending on nominations received. PLEASE DROP -OFF, FAX, OR EMAIL THE NOMINATION INFORMATION BY MARCH 1 TO: Jennifer Levitt Community Development Director /City Engineer City of Cottage Grove 12800 Ravine Parkway S. Cottage Grove, MN 55016 j levitt@ cottage - grove. or¢ Phone: 651-458-2890 Mailed applications must arrive at City Hall on or before March 1. Page 15 Sustainable City Awards www.cottage- grove.org Pine Hill Elementary students have hands -on plant growing experience with Tower Garde... Page 1 of 2 Now 1 VO u1 t ' A Sctwol9 I School v South Washington County Schools District News .......... ............................... Article Title Sort by Order Post date v E v D News r) Pine Hill Elementary students have hands -on plant growing experience with Tower Gardens Pine Hill Elementary students have hands -on plant growing experience with Tower Gardens Friday,. February 27, 2015 - 8:20am Pine Hill Elementary School has the unique opportunity for one classroom in each grave level to have a Tower Garden, where every student will have the opportunity to plant his or her own seeds. A Tower Garden is a vertical system that allows plants to grow in limited spaces without the use of soil. ri Students planted seeds in mid - January including lettuce, arugula, basil, cilantro, parsley, Nasturtium (an edible flower) and kale. Once those students have harvested what they planted, the Tower Gardens will be moved to another classroom and the process will be repeated for those classes. "The combination of education along with the hands -on experience of planting their own food, watching it grow daily, and consuming produce full of valuable nutrients will offer a jump start in children making healthier choices," said Pine Hill Elementary Teacher Diane Bezdicek. This project was made possible by a State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) grant. The City of Cottage Grove also partnered with Pine Hill Elementary to write the grant and gave additional funds to provide six Tower Gardens instead of four. The City of Cottage Grove is also supporting the purchase of supplies to continue this project for five years. Pine Hill plans to bring the Tower Gardens to Cottage Grove's Strawberry Fest in June to share what they learned with the community. http: / /www.sowasheo.kl2.nm.usl news /pine- hill - elementary- students- have - hands - plant- gro... 2/27/2015 Pine Hill Elementary students have hands -on plant growing experience with Tower Garde... Page 2 of 2 Through this project, students will learn about aeroponic gardening, where plants are grown in an air and mist environment without the use of soil. By growing their own fresh produce, students will also learn about the Tower to Table process, good nutrition and sustainable practices. "This demonstrates a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to grow produce," said Bezdicek. 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