In recent years, school gardens have taken hold in education curriculum across the country. Research has found that though these programs are becoming more popular, they are often implemented in areas of higher socioeconomic class. Low-income school districts struggle to find staff with adequate time to develop school garden programs. This project will help to open the doors for more rural areas to host school garden programs. Through an analysis of current research, compilation of a resource bundle, and creation of a guidebook, this project will provide educators with the tools that are necessary to implement a well-integrated garden. Where higher socioeconomic areas might be able to afford a garden coordinator salary, lower socioeconomic areas will be able to utilize this toolkit to self-start a well-integrated program. I will be focusing on my hometown elementary school, Taft Elementary, as a model school. First, I will be gathering resources on outdoor classroom management, lesson and curricula planning, and a Text set for literacy integration. From there I will be designing guidebook that will contain tips for seasonal care of a garden in the harsh climate of the Oregon Coast, calendars for planting in the garden, and many more sources that teachers can use to implement a school garden program. I will also be analyzing current research on the topic to make well informed decisions about resources to include
