Education
Let the garden be your classroom! 
DUG offers training and education programs that make learning interactive and engaging. Through DUG, community members, community gardeners, and students of all ages can take part in workshops and education and training programs in community organizing, basic horticulture, composting, and more! Read on to learn more about opportunities for learning through DUG.
School Garden Education and Mentoring Programs
For over a decade, DUG has worked in partnership with Denver Public Schools, Slow Food Denver, and Learning Landscapes to establish gardens at schools. Of DUG’s over 100 community gardens, more than 25 are located on the grounds of DPS Elementary Schools, with 1-3 new school gardens in various stages of planning each year. DUG is committed to supporting each community garden in ways appropriate to that garden’s particular needs, including developing a partnership between the school community and surrounding neighbors to strengthen garden sustainability. We believe the lessons offered in a garden are life changing for children of all backgrounds, but in particular, those from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Through the wonders of a garden, students experience hands-on lessons in: biology and ecology, horticulture, wellness and nutrition, recycling, composting, and community building. Click here to learn more about DUG's school garden and nutrition education, including information about becoming a program volunteer. Click here to view our school garden and nutrition curriculum.
Helping Kids Get Healthy: A Workshop Series for Youth Educators
These unique workshops are designed for teachers and volunteers who work in youth education programs that focus on nutrition and gardening. Join DUG’s Education Team to learn different ways to use your school garden and how to teach hands-on lessons in organic gardening and nutrition. Workshops are offered seasonally, and each workshop highlights unique, seasonal lessons from DUG’s School Garden and Nutrition Curriculum.
Free Public Composting Classes
Learn to compost at DUG's Backyard Composting Demonstration Site at Gove Community Garden (East 13th & Colorado Blvd). Composting classes are offered in partnership with Denver Recycles, and require that participants register at least a week ahead of time. Please check back in April to register for 2011 compost classes. Click here for Composting Basics.
Garden Education through Community Gardens
DUG offers training workshops on-site at community gardens. If you are a garden leader or gardener at a DUG community garden, and would like to host a workshop on basic horticulture, composting, seed starting, or another garden-related topic, please contact us for more information.
Training Workshops at DeLaney Community Farm
Throughout the growing season, DUG offers workshops on topics that range from beekeeping to sketching in the garden at DeLaney Community Farm, our community supported agriculture project in Aurora. Click here for the DeLaney events schedule.
Master Community Gardener Training Program: Growing Leaders
DUG's Master Community Gardener Training Program is an 11-week "train the trainer" course designed to train community leaders in all aspects of community gardening with a focus on community organizing, as well as basic horticultural knowledge. This hands-on course teaches participants the skills they need to create and maintain strong, vibrant and sustainable community gardens. The application for the 2012 program will be available on November 1st. Click here to learn more, or contact us if you would like a reminder sent when the 2012 schedule and application is available.
Master Composter Program: Changing the Culture of Waste
Ready to dig in the dirt? DUG, in partnership with Denver Recycles and Metro Wastewater, facilitates the Master Composter Program Training and Outreach program. We are now accepting applicants for our 2012 program. Click here to learn more about this program, including how to apply. Click here for Composting Basics.
