The UN World Food Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, along with the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute and the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency, announces the launch of the fourth annual Best School Mini Garden competition.
This initiative provides schools with an excellent opportunity to showcase their creativity, innovation, and dedication to promoting education and awareness about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits among students.
Competition is an integral part of the School Feeding Programme, which aims to encourage the establishment of school gardens nationwide. The goal is to diversify school meals with fresh vegetables and herbs, instill a passion for organic farming in children from a young age, and educate them on the fundamentals of land cultivation.
The theme for the 2024 competition is Spring Adventure. Spring symbolizes the beginning of new life, a favorite yet challenging period in gardening. The quality and quantity of the harvest depend on the entire spring workflow. Thus, this year's competition emphasizes spring activities in school gardens, focusing on organic farming methods.
Participating schools are invited to draw inspiration from children's drawings depicting their favorite spring dishes. By encouraging creativity and innovation, the aim is to deepen students' understanding of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits.
To enhance the educational aspect, students are encouraged to form agro-clubs, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
This year, the competition will have two main nominations:
Prizes await the top three winners in each category. The winner of The Best School Mini Garden nomination will receive a $3,000 grant, while the winner of The Best Windowsill Garden nomination will receive a $500 prize. Schools that come second and third in each category will receive valuable prizes. Also, additional nominations may be announced to reward unique or creative ideas from participants.
The competition is structured into two stages:
The Selection Committee will evaluate submissions and announce winners by August 1, 2024.
The Best School Mini Garden competition has become an annual tradition in Armenia since 2021. It unites students, teachers, parents, and agriculture specialists in the pursuit of establishing mini-gardens to improve school feeding and teach farming basics. Each year, the competition showcases increasingly innovative ideas and projects that contribute to improving the health of the growing generation.
Information for schools wishing to participate
For comprehensive event information, rules, and registration requirements, visit this link.
For further questions regarding the competition, the organizers are available for consultations via email at minigarden.armenia@gmail.com.
This initiative provides schools with an excellent opportunity to showcase their creativity, innovation, and dedication to promoting education and awareness about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits among students.
Competition is an integral part of the School Feeding Programme, which aims to encourage the establishment of school gardens nationwide. The goal is to diversify school meals with fresh vegetables and herbs, instill a passion for organic farming in children from a young age, and educate them on the fundamentals of land cultivation.
The theme for the 2024 competition is Spring Adventure. Spring symbolizes the beginning of new life, a favorite yet challenging period in gardening. The quality and quantity of the harvest depend on the entire spring workflow. Thus, this year's competition emphasizes spring activities in school gardens, focusing on organic farming methods.
Participating schools are invited to draw inspiration from children's drawings depicting their favorite spring dishes. By encouraging creativity and innovation, the aim is to deepen students' understanding of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits.
To enhance the educational aspect, students are encouraged to form agro-clubs, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
This year, the competition will have two main nominations:
- The Best School Mini Garden: Designed for schools with suitable conditions to establish and maintain a mini garden on school premises during the spring season.
- The Best Windowsill Garden: Tailored for schools in colder regions or with limited outdoor space, allowing schools to create mini gardens within school buildings.
Prizes await the top three winners in each category. The winner of The Best School Mini Garden nomination will receive a $3,000 grant, while the winner of The Best Windowsill Garden nomination will receive a $500 prize. Schools that come second and third in each category will receive valuable prizes. Also, additional nominations may be announced to reward unique or creative ideas from participants.
The competition is structured into two stages:
- Stage 1: Schools must complete and submit a Registration Form to enter the competition.
- Deadline for registration: April 1, 2024.
- Stage 2: Schools will be asked to put together a comprehensive Application Package and submit it for review. This package should outline their experience in creating and maintaining a school garden, as well as demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating practices.
- Deadline for submitting project packages: July 1, 2024.
The Selection Committee will evaluate submissions and announce winners by August 1, 2024.
The Best School Mini Garden competition has become an annual tradition in Armenia since 2021. It unites students, teachers, parents, and agriculture specialists in the pursuit of establishing mini-gardens to improve school feeding and teach farming basics. Each year, the competition showcases increasingly innovative ideas and projects that contribute to improving the health of the growing generation.
Information for schools wishing to participate
For comprehensive event information, rules, and registration requirements, visit this link.
For further questions regarding the competition, the organizers are available for consultations via email at minigarden.armenia@gmail.com.