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AB-1014 School instructional gardens.(1999-2000)

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AB1014:v93#DOCUMENT

Assembly Bill No. 1014
CHAPTER 713

An act to add Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 51795) to Chapter 5 of Part 28 of the Education Code, relating to school instructional gardens.

[ Filed with Secretary of State  October 10, 1999. Approved by Governor  October 06, 1999. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1014, Cardoza. School instructional gardens.
Existing law sets forth the various authorized classes or courses of instruction for public schools.
This bill would establish the Instructional School Gardens Program for the promotion, establishment, and support of instructional school gardens, to be administered by the State Department of Education through the allocation of grants to applicant school districts and county offices of education and the provision of technical assistance to school districts and county offices of education.
This bill would require the California Integrated Waste Management Board to give preferential consideration during its annual discretionary grant funding process to providing an appropriate level of funding to the program and would provide that the program would be implemented only if funds become available from private donations, special fund money, or federal money, or any combination thereof, for those purposes.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Article 8.5 (commencing with Section 51795) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 28 of the Education Code, to read:
Article  8.5. School Instructional Gardens

51795.
 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) School garden projects provide an interactive, hands-on learning environment to teach composting and waste management techniques and the fundamental nutrition concepts embodied in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to foster a better understanding and appreciation of where food comes from, how it gets from the farm to the table, and the important role of agriculture in the state, national, and global economy.
(b) Encouraging and supporting a garden in every school creates opportunities for children to make healthier food choices, participate more successfully in their education experiences, and develop a deeper appreciation of both their community and each other.
(c) Garden programs can equally enhance any subject area including science, environmental education, math, reading, writing, art, physical education, history, and geography. As California continues to strive toward improved pupil performance, the garden project provides a unique method through which it can be achieved.

51796.
 (a) The Instructional School Gardens Program is hereby established for the promotion, creation, and support of instructional school gardens by eligible educational agencies. The program shall be administered by the State Department of Education through the allocation of grants to applicant eligible education agencies and the provision of technical assistance to eligible education agencies. The State Department of Education may consult with the Integrated Waste Management Board and any appropriate public institution of higher education regarding curriculum development and regarding the evaluation of any program established pursuant to this article. Any eligible education agency interested in participating in the Instructional School Gardens Program may apply to the State Department of Education for a one-time grant.
(b) For purposes of this article, “eligible educational agency” means any school district or county office of education.

51797.
 During its annual discretionary grant funding process, the California Integrated Waste Management Board shall give preferential consideration to providing an appropriate level of funding to the program established pursuant to this article.

51798.
 This article shall be implemented only if funds become available from private donations, special fund money, or federal money, or any combination thereof, for the purposes of this article.