Little Green Sprouts Classroom Garden

Little Green Sprouts (LGS) is an indoor garden-based program for hands-on, inquiry-based learning in the classroom. The program equips teachers with the tools, skills, and training to grow classroom gardens and support students’ academic and social growth.

As part of Little Green Sprouts, you will receive:

  • A Little Green Sprouts indoor garden
  • Growing trays and pots
  • Seeds and Soil
  • Teacher's Manual
  • Online teacher training
  • Access to Little Green Sprouts teacher portal full of learning resources, how-to videos and troubleshooting support
  • Support from an Agriculture in the Classroom Nova Scotia Little Green Sprouts coordinator

The classroom will need:

  • access to a power outlet, as well as 1.2m (3.2 ft) by .5m (1.5 ft) space in which to assemble your garden.
  • a sturdy table, shelf, or countertop.  Somewhere where it will not be easily bumped during normal everyday classroom activity.
  • some access to water to water your plants (you can use a watering can or jug to transport water to your garden).

With a Little Green Sprouts garden, you can grow microgreens, such as pea, sunflower, kale, as well as herbs, such as basil, parsley, lemon balm or mint and lettuce and spinach greens. Teachers should take into consideration:

  • only one application per school will be accepted
  • Teachers will be asked to sign a Memoriam of Understanding (MOU) with regards to sending the kit back at the end of the school year, staying in contact with the program coordinator, and completing a program evaluation.

There are a limited number of Little Green Sprout kits available. If more classrooms apply than can be supported by the program, the Department of Agriculture will prioritize applicants based on the following criteria:

  • geographic location
  • new applicant to the program

This program is also available in French.

Eligibility

Teachers for grades 2-5 in public schools are eligible to apply. Private schools will be accepted based on resource availability.

How to apply

  1. Determine if the Little Green Sprouts Program is a good fit for your classroom.
  2. Complete the application form by 1 September .
  3. The Department of Agriculture will review all applications and determine which schools will be able to participate each year
  4. Teachers will be contacted by 15 September with approximate delivery dates.

How long it takes

Teachers will be notified within 5 business days that their application has been received. Teachers will be notified by 15 September that they have been accepted into this program and an approximate date that the kits will be delivered to their classroom.

Cost

There is no cost to participate in this program.

Before you apply

Make sure your school principal is aware of your intention to apply to the program and supports your participation.

Important dates

Applications open 1 June
Applications close 1 September
Teachers are notified of acceptance 15 September

Apply online

Start now

Other ways to apply

If you are unable to apply online, contact the Agricultural Education office at 902-893-6575 or

Contact Information

Agricultural Education Office
74 Research Dr.
Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2

Phone: 902-893-6575
Email: