Hudson Valley Seed Partnership
About Hudson Valley Seed
Hudson Valley Seed is a non-profit garden education organization that partners with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Hudson Valley Seed educates children in school gardens, empowering students through curriculum-integrated lessons focused on healthy eating, food literacy, outdoor learning, and academic success.
Hudson Valley Seed reaches more than 5,000 K-5th grade students each year in elementary schools in New York’s Hudson Valley, in the cities of Newburgh, Beacon, Kingston, and Garrison. Trained garden educators integrate nutrition education and experiential learning into public school classrooms by bringing dozens of classes each week outside to school gardens to grow and taste new vegetables, read and write, learn math and science, and learn about health and wellness.
With thriving students and more than 15,000 kids on our waiting list, we are growing fast!
Partnership with Newburgh Schools
Hudson Valley Seed partners with Newburgh Enlarged City School District to bring hands-on, experiential garden education to 1,100 K-2 students in four elementary schools. Students have biweekly 1-hour “garden time” sessions that take place throughout the entire school year. Hudson Valley Seed’s garden lessons are planned to fit national Common Core and Next Generation Science curricular standards. This makes students’ time in the garden bolster and supplement their classroom learning, and allows schools to offer our garden lessons as part of students’ regular school day every two weeks throughout the entire school year. HVS garden time is offered in a similar way as math class or science class, rather than as an after-school program or occasional field trip. By offering garden lessons during the school day, HVS is able to reach many more students than through a self-selecting, elective class.
Monthly Newsletters
November 2018 (English and Spanish)
February 2019 (English and Spanish)
The Hudson Valley Seed Curriculum
Students become engaged in learning through our original curriculum, which is unique in incorporating science, mathematics, the arts, and many other interdisciplinary topics in the real-world, hands-on setting of the garden:
For example, a student will practice graphing, illustration, and biology by depicting the growth of a young bean plant over time.
Hudson Valley Seed educators practice hands-on, project-based lessons using school gardens as outdoor classrooms. Our learner-centered democratic approach fosters agency within students, both in the classroom and beyond. Though our work we cultivate a deepened awareness of self, the world around us, and the interconnectedness of all things. Alternative pedagogies inform our work as we bring diversity, social justice, and environmental consciousness into the educational system.
Schools In the District
Meet the Educators
Serena Padilla aka Ms. Serena Squash
Vails Gate and GAMS Garden Educator
Sam Adels aka Mr. Sam
Temple Hill and Horizons Garden Educator
