Focus and Flourish, a school garden workshop

Finding Focus: Bountiful Benefits of Gardening Did you know that just ten minutes among plants can lower kids' stress hormones and sharpen their focus back in the classroom? Join is for an engaging session exploring the science behind garden-based learning — from cognitive benefits like improved attention, executive function, and creativity, to social skill development and mental health support, to the physical wellness perks of time spent outdoors. Whether you're new to garden-based learning or looking to deepen your teaching practice, you'll leave with research-backed insight into why the garden works, plus practical ideas to bring back to your classroom. Featuring speaker Tracy Calla with UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension Powerhouse Pollinator Plants for the Suncoast Want a healthier garden ecosystem and better pollination? It starts with plant selection. This class covers the groundcovers, wildflowers, and shrubs identified as the very best performers for our stretch of the Suncoast, the plants that reliably draw in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. You'll leave with a working plant list you can put straight into a school garden bed or your own yard. Featuring speaker Forest Hecker with UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension Flourishing Fall A brief foray into what plants we're growing in school gardens this fall, quick tips for planting and care, ideas for harvest/use, and resources/references for school garden leaders. We look forward to seeing registrants on Saturday, Sept. 26. Certificates of attendance, copy of agenda, etc., will be provided the day of the event for educators and volunteers seeking CEUs. Please note we won't be serving food during this event so please bring your own water bottle/snack. We may step outside to see garden spaces, pollinator plants, etc., so please dress comfortably for indoor/outdoor as sometimes our classroom temperature leans cold, while outdoors will lean hot. Register early through Eventbrite.com to reserve your spot and receive notice of any changes. For questions or further information, please call 941-396-0900 or email [email protected] If you require special accommodations to attend one of our events, please contact us in advance at 941-861-5000 or [email protected]. NOTE: Classes and events may be canceled at any time due to low registration or other circumstances. Similar classes or events often are offered on future dates. ----- Type: Attend an Event, Take A Class, Volunteer Topic: Energy, Food, Nature, Water Organization: UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County