project leader
Uzma C
location
100 Aldine Street
New Jersey (South Ward, Newark, NJ)
latest update rss
More garden progress for Seek Academy garden!

the project

We are transforming an abandoned lot in the South Ward into a thriving school garden that provides outdoor experiences and cheap, real, organic food in a neighborhood where it is largely unavailable. Our scholars and staff are working hard to create this garden that will beautify and sustain our corner of Newark for years to come. 

the steps

  1. Week 1: Build classroom benches and pre-fab shed
  2. Week 2: Install benches and shed. Fill shed with supplies and tools
  3. Week 3: Install rain barrels and hoses for irrigation 
  4. Week 4: Fill beds with soil and sow with seeds
  5. Week 5: Begin in-class instruction with our new Garden Teacher! 

why we're doing it

The South Ward of Newark is riddled with vacant lots and homes--especially the block across from our school. Instead of having children look out their classroom windows at old, burned out, abandoned homes, we are hoping they can look at gardens they planted themselves, where communities can come together to share fresh, real, cheap organic food in a place where that is hard to find, and to make Newark as beautiful as we know it can be. 

budget

Disbursement Budget:



RAISED = $5,044.00
 less ioby Platform Fee  $35.00
less ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $145.89
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = $4,863.11

800 Shed

100 Rain Barrels

285 Soil

250 Outdoor Classroom Lumber

250 Seeds & Transplants

3000 Part-time garden class instructor

150 Hay and Manure to bed down garden for winter and prep soil

Updated budget:

We've had some items donated (hoses, a few barrels) and our new goal is $4585:



SUBTOTAL = $4,585
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $138
TOTAL TO RAISE = $4,758

$800 Shed

$300 Rain barrels - a few were donated and now we only need $100

$285 Soil 

$100 Hoses We had this donated!

$250 Outdoor classroom lumber

$250 Seeds and transplants

$3000 Part-time garden class instructor

Updated Budget:

We are so excited to fit into our schedule a rigorous and experiential curriculum for urban gardening and sustainability. We have expanded our budget to include the cost of a part-time garden instructor. Hands-on learning and real life skills will truly provide our scholars with unforgettable experiences and a sense of ownership of their community and Earth.



SUBTOTAL = $5,000
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $150
TOTAL TO RAISE = $5,185

$800 Shed

$300 Rain barrels - a few were donated and now we only need $100

$300 Soil 

$100 Hoses

$250 Outdoor classroom lumber

$250 Seeds and transplants

$3000 Part-time garden class instructor

 

Original Budget:



SUBTOTAL = $2,000
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $60
TOTAL TO RAISE = $2,095

$800 Shed

$300 Rain barrels

$300 Soil 

$100 Hoses

$250 Outdoor classroom lumber

$250 Seeds and transplants

updates

More garden progress for Seek Academy garden!

We had KIPP New Jersey's AmeriCorps members out for a volunteer day.

They planted more seedlings, built new beds, spread a truckload of mulch...

...hung signs made by Seek Academy students...

 ...and created benches that are the start of our outdoor classroom!

More garden progress for Seek Academy garden!

We had KIPP New Jersey's AmeriCorps members out for a volunteer day.

They planted more seedlings, built new beds, spread a truckload of mulch...

...hung signs made by Seek Academy students...

 ...and created benches that are the start of our outdoor classroom!

Update for our school garden!

 

Our kids having fun in the garden!

Our work was also featured on the news. Check out the video here!

 

 

 

 

Our story on ioby's blog!

We're excited to be featured on ioby's national blog. Read more about the work we're doing in South Ward of Newark, New Jersey !

A message from our team - we're expanding our impact...and goal!

We are so excited to fit into our schedule a rigorous and experiential curriculum for urban gardening and sustainability.

We have expanded our budget to include the cost of a part-time garden instructor. Hands-on learning and real life skills will truly provide our scholars with unforgettable experiences and a sense of ownership of their community and Earth.

Thanks for your donations and continued support!

A growing buzz about our project on the National Wildlife Federation Blog!

Read about our project here

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Leighton R.
  • Tia H.
  • Joanna Palmer
  • The Gagnets
  • Katheena
  • Daja
  • Melissa G.
  • Veronica H.
  • Will Aubin
  • Ashraful A Chowdhury
  • Katy B. @ THRIVE
  • Roslynn Guerra, first grade scholar
  • Meg
  • Ali C.
  • Hannah B.
  • Vicki Shanahan
  • Anonymous
  • Gabriella
  • Bailey D.
  • Alyson
  • Roopa G.
  • Puja and JJ
  • Rafael P.
  • Randy & Anna Schenauer
  • Nikki
  • Jose P.
  • Anonymous
  • Mandisa Barnes
  • Lenesha T.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Toni O'Sullivan
  • Peter
  • Conde
  • The Lorax
  • Leila
  • Charlie Bini
  • Christopher Blair
  • Kyleen Breslin
  • Laura and James Fant
  • Orlando
  • Kelsey Mulvihill
  • Anonymous
  • Michelle A.
  • Ryan G.
  • Anonymous
  • The Austins
  • Michelle Speidel
  • Amanda
  • Rebecca F.
  • Monica
  • Jenn Shetsen
  • Jose P.
  • Laszlo
  • Terry Brown
  • Leslie Wade
  • Laura Mendelsohn
  • Pedro Lebre
  • Marya T
  • Jasmin A.
  • Anonymous
  • Brooke Powell
  • Anonymous
  • Ilana
  • Jen Lewin
  • Rushar
  • Khara
  • Eric and Heidi Fisher
  • Joanna
  • Zachary Lee Brooks
  • Anthony Joseph
  • Caroline G.
  • Keisha (BOLD Academy)
  • Anonymous
  • Ben Calvert
  • Uzma C.