Deron Dempsey's GTT Board Fundraiser

I'm a proud member of Garden To Table's (GTT's) board of directors. Our amazing staff members provide vital hands-on environmental education at 16 elementary schools in BVSD. We need a big push this year — our biggest ever — to keep our gardens growing and this amazing program in action. 

GTT provides school garden management, standards-based curriculum, professional development, and community support to engage all students in experiential, garden-based learning. We support school communities through prepping, planting, harvesting, and winterizing gardens so that students can take home healthy, organic produce throughout the growing season. We also donate excess produce to local food banks.

Like last year, we have a staff and board challenge to inspire the most donations to GTT through Colorado Gives Day. The total number of donors is all that counts, so please, give whatever you can. Every dollar raised goes to getting more kids in a garden!

Here's how it works: by giving through Colorado Gives between Nov. 1-Dec. 10, your gift is eligible to be leveraged to raise even more money for GTT through the Colorado Gives Day incentive fund. Think a gift match - but just a little different. Colorado Gives Day has a pool of money that they divide amongst the organizations who fundraise, based on how much they fundraise through this platform. It's a great way to fundraise for even more for garden curriculum at our elementary schools!

In 2023/2024, we accomplished many of our goals, like: 

• Updating our curriculum to meet new academic standards and encourage more student garden visits. We now provide 3 ready-to-teach lessons that align with BVSD academic requirements for grades Pre-K through 5.
• Hiring two(!!) garden educators to teach at all of our Title I schools.
• Maintaining 16 thriving school gardens that led to a 53% increase in student garden visits over the last year.
  
  

We also are grateful to have a lot of positive testimonials about our program: 

"This program helped me get a better understanding of how food grows." -5th grade student

"The garden is a wonderful way to make so many curricular connections for kids. We use it to teach ecology, math, health, and economics." -3rd grade teacher

"My students this year have never been so engaged, excited, and ALIVE as when they're in the garden. Thank you!" -Kindergarten teacher

"Nothing can replace the garden lessons to support science standards in such an authentic way. Thank you for everything. GTT is so appreciated!" -1st grade teacher

Thank you for donating! Outdoor education, health and nutritional learning, and a connection to nature are important for all children - your donation to Garden to Table makes these experiences a reality throughout Boulder County!