The UN World Food Program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, alongside the Russian Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute and the “School Feeding and Child Welfare” Agency, is excited to announce the commencement of the fourth annual "The Best School Mini Garden" competition across Armenia. This initiative offers schools a fantastic platform to display their creativity, innovation, and commitment to promoting education and awareness about sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits among students.
The competition forms an integral part of the School Feeding Programme, aiming to encourage the establishment of school gardens nationwide. The objective is not only to diversify the range of fresh vegetables and herbs available in school meals but also to instill a passion for organic farming in children from a young age while educating them on land cultivation fundamentals.
For the 2024 competition, the theme "Spring Adventure" has been chosen. Spring marks 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. Therefore, this year's competition focuses on spring activities in school gardens, emphasizing organic cultivation methods.
In addition to cultivation, 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 understanding of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits among students.
To enhance the educational aspect, students are encouraged to form agro-clubs, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
A new feature this year is the introduction of two main categories:
Prizes await the top three winners of each category. The winner of "The Best School Mini Garden" will receive a $3,000 grant, while "The Best Windowsill Garden" winner will receive a $500 worth prize. Schools that took the second and the third places in each nomination will receive valuable prizes, as well as may be announced additional nominations to reward unique or creative ideas of participants.
The competition is structured into two distinct stages:
During Stage 1, schools must complete and submit a Registration Form to enter the competition.
Deadline for registration: April 1, 2024
In Stage 2, schools will be asked to put together a comprehensive Application package and submit it for review. This package should outline their experience of 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, uniting students, teachers, parents, and agriculture specialists in the pursuit of establishing mini-gardens to improve school feeding and teach farming basics. The outcome became apparent swiftly, with each passing year showcasing increasingly innovative ideas and projects that contribute to the improvement and health of the next generation.
Information for schools wishing to participate
For schools interested in participating, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H3nMJw72B44tM9PxwKtFM9ZhNMj_mzXa/view?usp=sharing for comprehensive event information, rules, and registration requirements.
If there are any further questions regarding the competition, the organizers will be glad to answer them and give any consultations via email: minigarden.armenia@gmail.com
You can stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates by following the dedicated Facebook page of the Contest. This is an excellent way to ensure that you are aware of any important announcements, deadlines, or changes to the competition requirements that may impact your school's application.
The competition forms an integral part of the School Feeding Programme, aiming to encourage the establishment of school gardens nationwide. The objective is not only to diversify the range of fresh vegetables and herbs available in school meals but also to instill a passion for organic farming in children from a young age while educating them on land cultivation fundamentals.
For the 2024 competition, the theme "Spring Adventure" has been chosen. Spring marks 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. Therefore, this year's competition focuses on spring activities in school gardens, emphasizing organic cultivation methods.
In addition to cultivation, 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 understanding of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits among students.
To enhance the educational aspect, students are encouraged to form agro-clubs, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
A new feature this year is the introduction of two main categories:
- “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. This category allows schools to create mini-gardens within school buildings.
Prizes await the top three winners of each category. The winner of "The Best School Mini Garden" will receive a $3,000 grant, while "The Best Windowsill Garden" winner will receive a $500 worth prize. Schools that took the second and the third places in each nomination will receive valuable prizes, as well as may be announced additional nominations to reward unique or creative ideas of participants.
The competition is structured into two distinct stages:
During Stage 1, schools must complete and submit a Registration Form to enter the competition.
Deadline for registration: April 1, 2024
In Stage 2, schools will be asked to put together a comprehensive Application package and submit it for review. This package should outline their experience of 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, uniting students, teachers, parents, and agriculture specialists in the pursuit of establishing mini-gardens to improve school feeding and teach farming basics. The outcome became apparent swiftly, with each passing year showcasing increasingly innovative ideas and projects that contribute to the improvement and health of the next generation.
Information for schools wishing to participate
For schools interested in participating, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H3nMJw72B44tM9PxwKtFM9ZhNMj_mzXa/view?usp=sharing for comprehensive event information, rules, and registration requirements.
If there are any further questions regarding the competition, the organizers will be glad to answer them and give any consultations via email: minigarden.armenia@gmail.com
You can stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates by following the dedicated Facebook page of the Contest. This is an excellent way to ensure that you are aware of any important announcements, deadlines, or changes to the competition requirements that may impact your school's application.