Feb 8, 2011

Burpee Home Gardens Announces ‘I Can Grow’ Award RecipientsSource: Ball Horticultural Co.

Selected from more than 220 applications from community and urban school gardens across the United States, Burpee names the 2011 winners.

Burpee Home Gardens recently revealed the 2011 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award winners. Selected from more than 220 applications from community and urban school gardens across the United States, this year’s winners are:

• City of Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation Department in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
• Kid Power, Inc., in Washington, D.C.
• Robles Elementary School in Tampa, Fla.
• Waterford School District in Waterford, Mich.
• West End IB World School in Nashville, Tenn.

“We received an overwhelming number of quality applications for the second annual ‘I Can Grow’ program, and it was difficult to select just five deserving winners,” said George Ball, chairman and CEO of W. Atlee Burpee & Co. “The growing popularity of the program demonstrates the increasing value and interest in vegetable gardening among younger and novice gardeners.”

Winners will receive up to 500 vegetable and herb plants, $2,500 toward garden supplies, 5 gallons of Daniels organic-based plant food, one hose-end sprayer, on-site layout and installation assistance from Burpee Home Gardens experts, and a Flip camera to document the garden’s success.

“Each of the winning schools’ organizers is excited to begin planning garden installation events with the Burpee Home Gardens team this spring, and the children couldn’t be happier,” says Carolyn Dixon, national sales Manager for Burpee Home Gardens. “We are proud to be supporting and sponsoring not only the winners, but all of the ‘I Can Grow’ Youth Garden Award applicants as well.”

Burpee Home Gardens has provided school gardening resources to the over 220 applicants nationwide. Packages were sent out containing the “I Can Grow” Guide for Educators, created in partnership with the National Gardening Association; copies of the Garden Fresh vegetable gardening guide; as well as generous seed donations from W. Atlee Burpee Co. for use in the garden and classroom.