if I were to write a grant...

I would bring the “edible schoolyard” to schools in Seattle. Teaching youth about food and ecology is more than just indulging the senses—though this element makes the program that much more enticing. With the awareness brought to the table, the human body and the earth, children will develop a deeper sensitivity and understanding for the interconnectedness of humans and their environment, in turn becoming more health conscious. This awareness, then, taught through an immediate, tangible  and fun means flows over into other disciplines—from creating relationships with other beings or solving math problems , from politics to philosophy.

The personal narrative has a place here, too. Rally around a story, a personal account suggesting a shift of thought and way-of-being in the world. 

Letter of Intent

Dear…                                                                                                            26 February 2009

… is a non-profit organization out of Seattle, Washington dedicated to bringing  an ecological  curriculum to public schools in the Seattle Metro area. … has been working toward this goal since 2000.

… wants to bring the Edible Schoolyard program developed by Alice Waters and King Middle School principle Neil Smith to Seattle public schools. Beginning with a trial period of two years, the program would serve two public middle schools in two demographically different locations: … and … .  Funding would cover costs for equipment, employees, volunteers and planning costs, totaling $250,000.

Children attending these middle schools would benefit from an increased ecological awareness. Teaching youth about food and ecology is more than just indulging the senses—though this element makes the program that much more enticing. With such an awareness brought to the table, the human body and the earth, children will develop a deeper sensitivity and understanding for the interconnectedness of humans and their environment, in turn becoming more health conscious. This awareness, then, taught through an immediate, tangible and fun means flows over into other disciplines—from creating relationships with other beings to solving math problems, from politics to philosophy.

We ask you for a sum of $250,000 to integrate the Edible Schoolyard program into … and …’s curriculum. Thank you for your time. We look forward to hearing from you.