Christmas Joys Mini and Carton2Garden
What can I say, except, “wow!” Thanks for the fabulous response to the 2015 Extension “Christmas Joys” program held recently. Over 160 individuals attended or helped with preparations for this annual event. For those who were unable to attend, you have a second chance! Here are the details:
- What: Christmas Joys Mini session – you’ll get the entire booklet of all the recipes and directions for the items, along with a goody bag (as supplies last). I’ll be demonstrating crafts, projects, recipes, and food gift ideas.
- When: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
- Time: 1:30 p.m.
- Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, Sulphur Springs
- Cost: $2
- Refreshments will be served.
Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up. Seating is limited to 40.
Carton 2 Garden
An exciting contest for schools is being offered. The Spring, 2016 Contest “Carton 2 Garden” contest is designed to showcase students’ creativity by re-purposing milk and juice cartons from their school cafeteria to either build or enhance their school garden. Educators can engage students in a hands-on experience creating teachable moments on environmental stewardship, sustainable packaging and healthy living. The best use of cartons in a school garden gives the school the chance to win one of 14 prizes with a grand prize valued at $5,000.
The carton2garden.com website recommends getting started on the right foot. Assign a classroom, teacher, or student team to be in charge of the project and start gathering cartons (suggestions: an art class, a home room, etc.). Have students draw up sketches of their ideas, then vote as a group on which one to make. Collect at least 100 cartons to use in your garden creation, then gather materials, assign tasks, make it, nurture it and enjoy a growing learning experience together.
The Entry Form Checklist lets you know what questions you should be prepared to answer on the entry form. You can submit up to 10 photos of your creation. To be eligible for the grand prize or a specialty prize, in addition to the entry form and photographs, submissions must also include a video link to represent their project.
Fourteen (14) schools with the most unique carton creations will be selected on May 13, 2016 to win award packages. One school will win the grand prize, valued at $5,000. Three (3) schools will win Specialty prizes (STEM, Sustainability, and Community Involvement), valued at $2,500. Ten (10) schools – five (5) elementary and five (5) middle/high – will win prizes valued at $1,000.
Entries are due Wednesday, April 16, but now is the time to start the thought process! For a full set of guidelines and more information, go to:
. This is a great opportunity for our Hopkins County Schools, private schools, or home-school groups!
Closing Thought
If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs.
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
