Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch received $3,000 from Whole Kids Foundation and $500 from KidsGardening to support the Gardening Program on its campus in Bismarck, ND. Funds will be used to purchase materials to convert our three garden plots to large-scale sub-irrigated planter boxes.
A main goal of our Gardening Program is to teach our youth about the process of gardening (planting, weeding, watering, mulching, and harvesting). In addition, we teach gardening skills our children can take with them after they leave the Ranch. The Gardening Program helps Ranch kids build relationships with their peers and staff as they learn about gardening and work side-by-side. They also learn about healthy foods and healthy pastimes.
Foods from the garden are used in meals provided to our residents and staff. Children learn how to incorporate fresh produce in their diet as they create meals with produce from the garden.
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christian residential treatment and educational center for children and their families. We help the most troubled, complicated, and amazing kids by providing best-in-class psychiatric therapy and trauma-informed care, where we look kids in the eye, walk with them, and help them become their best selves.
Whole Kids Foundation is dedicated to helping kids eat better—and enjoy it! They are a charitable organization founded by Whole Foods Market that provides children with access to healthy food choices through partnerships with schools, educators, and organizations. Whole Kids Foundation supports schools and inspires families to improve children’s nutrition and wellness.
KidsGardening has been helping youth gardens thrive since 1982. Their mission is to create opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. KidsGardening offers inspiration and support to educators and families by way of grants, original educational resources, and by cultivating a community of practice.