Nov 10, 2011
Burpee Youth Garden Award is BackSource: Burpee Home Gardens

Burpee Home Gardens is now accepting applications for the 2012 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award. Now in its third year, the program continues to support urban school and community gardens in cities across the United States and build awareness of the Burpee Home Gardens brand.

Success stories from last year’s program include the Waterford School District near Detroit, whose garden yielded nearly 1,000 pounds of vegetables donated to a nearby hunger relief organization. Plants were made available to Waterford through Bogie Lake Greenhouses in Michigan. To date, the Burpee Home Gardens “I Can Grow” program has provided more than 8,000 vegetable and herb plants, and created 16 community and school gardens nationwide.

“We’ve seen interest in school vegetable gardens gaining momentum from coast to coast. Burpee Home Gardens recognizes the importance these programs have on young gardeners and their communities,” said Carolyn Dixon, national sales manager for Burpee Home Gardens. “The ‘I Can Grow’ Youth Garden Award increases our ability to educate and inspire the next generation of gardeners, and build further awareness and demand for the Burpee Home Gardens brand.”

In Spring 2012, five grand-prize winners will be awarded up to 500 vegetable and herb plants, including the Burpee BOOST collection; 5 gallons of Daniels Plant Food plus one hose-end sprayer; and a Flip Video camera to document the garden’s progress throughout the year. The top two entries will also receive $2,500 for gardening supplies and on-site assistance from Burpee Home Gardens experts.

Educators and community garden leaders can visit www.burpeehomegardens.com to download the application and review eligibility requirements. All entries must be postmarked by Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. Winners will be announced no later than the week of Feb. 6, 2012.