2017 Grant Application

Project name: Circle of Nations School Garden

County: Richland

Project Coordinator: Mariana Shadden

Lead Organization: Circle of Nations School

Address: 832 N. 8th St
Wahpeton, ND 58075

Telephone: 701.642.3796Email:

  1. Briefly describe your garden project including its major goals. Please include a description of activities and the location of the garden (for example, Jefferson Elementary School). (150 words or less)

The Circle of Nations Garden will be a vegetable garden and flower garden that will allow the school to teach students about planting and growing their own food and to beautify their campus. Through their work in the garden students will learn about the life cycle of plants, watering methods, weed identification and eradication, as well as soil health and the fertilization of vegetables and the appropriate placement of flowering plants.

Facilitated by their work in the garden the students will learn about healthy choices and healthful food. The garden crops will be used in the kitchen to teach students about making food that is healthy, tastes good and is inexpensive. This is vital as many of our students come from high poverty areas and Native Americans are at high risk for developing diabetes. Students will also benefit from improving the appearance of the areas around campus, as they spend a great portion of their time on campus.

  1. How will your project make a difference to itschildren? (150 words or less)

The Circle of Nations Garden will provide an outlet for our students, it will give them a positive activity from which they can see rewards and real world outcomes. It will provide a peaceful environment for them to learn from and give them a project that they can take pride in. The garden will serve to help the students connect to the school, as well as to create connections between the adults and students which can be harnessed to help the students better achieve in the classroom.

Beyond the school, the garden will also teach our students about food sovereignty and give them knowledge that they can take back to their tribes, reservations and families. The long term difference the garden will make is the ability for students to connect to the land and their own families and traditions.

  1. How will your project make a difference in your community? (150 words or less)

For the Circle of Nations School community this garden will represent work undertaken by both the students and the staff. It will be a symbol of togetherness and mutual hard work and responsibility. The garden will provide the basis to teach and connect with students in a traditional manner. It will give students and staff the opportunity to beautify the campus as well as share in the bounty of the hard work once the crops are harvested.

  1. Please estimate the number of participants directly involved in the project:

Young children (3–12 years old): 30

Teens (13–17 years old): 30

Adults: 10

  1. Briefly list any partners (such as 4-H, FFA, school, church, garden center, parks department) that are involved.Briefly describe their roles in the project.Be very brief.
  • Richland County Extension Office- support and guidance
  • Wahpeton Parks and Recreation- support and volunteers
  • Twin City Farmer’s Market- local knowledge and experts
  • Pretty Bloomers Garden Club- advice and guidance
  • North Dakota State College of Science, volunteers
  1. Budget

Expenditures Amount

Seeds (vegetables, herbs) $100

Transplants (vegetable and flowers)300

Growing medium 50

Soil 100

Fertilizer 50

Hand gardening tools and gloves 200

TOTAL 800

For projects coordinated by organizations
outside of NDSU Extension
(to be completed by local NDSU educator)
Please describe your Extension office’s involvement in this garden program (recruiting youth, teaching, coordinating volunteers, providing meeting space). (150 words or less)
The NDSU Extension office, Richland County office will be available to provide support and guidance for the Circle of Nations School Garden Project.
I support this project and will work with the coordinator to ensure a positive educational experience for the youth.
Chandra M. Langseth, ANR Extension Agent 3/9/2017
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Name of NDSU Extension Service staff Date