Action needed: a call about SB 341 and coalition updates

We're facing a critical deadline and invite you to take action by calling about SB 341 today! Please find details and bill updates below.

Urgent Action Needed: Call About SB 341!

We need your help by Thursday, May 22 by 5 PM to protect SB 341! Who to Call:

• Senator Anna Caballero, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee - Capitol Office: (916) 651-4014
• Senate Appropriations Committee Office: (916) 651-4101

The Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file hearing is Friday, so it’s critical to make calls before Thursday at 5 PM.

If you live in Senator Caballero’s district, Fresno, Madera, Merced areas, your voice is especially impactful. Legislators prioritize input from their constituents, and your call could be what pushes this bill forward.

What to Say

• Sample Script: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am [your title/role, name of organization, or a member of the SGC broader coalition]. I’m calling to express my strong support for SB 341 and to respectfully request that the bill be removed from the suspense file and allowed to move forward.”
• If you are a constituent of this district, you can say: “I live in [City or Zip Code], and I am a constituent of Senator Caballero.”
• Optional: Add a personal note or select one or two talking points.

Please take a few minutes to make a call today, and encourage others to do the same! Together, we can help SB 341 move forward.

Status of SB341

We're excited to share that SB341, the Delaine Eastin Instructional School Garden Program Bill, has successfully passed through the Senate's Education and Agriculture Committees, and is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee, which reviews the current and future fiscal implications of bills. Although SB 341’s only cost is organizing a working group to prepare the criteria and guidelines for the future revised Instructional School Garden Program, the bill analysis accounted for a larger cost based on previous legislation that resulted in the SB 341 being referred to the suspense file. This file is reviewed by the Appropriations Committee in one hearing (May 23, 2025) to determine if the bill will:

1. Move from suspense to the Senate floor for a vote (then on to the Assembly)
2. Or, stay on suspense, meaning it will not move forward in the legislative process

We have taken steps to meet with Senator Sasha Renée Perez’s office (our principal bill author) and the Senate Appropriations Committee to advocate as much as possible for moving SB 341 out of suspense. We are also in conversation about alternatives to SB 341 to revive the unused, unfunded garden program.

Growing Momentum

We're thrilled to announce that we've gained two new co-authors for our bill: Senators Limon and Stern. These leaders join Senators Perez, Ochoa Bogh, and Rubio, bringing our total to five co-authors with bipartisan support. This growing coalition demonstrates the universal appeal of school gardens as educational tools that benefit all California students.

Amendments

SB341 has been amended twice with important changes that strengthen the bill:

• The bill is now acknowledged as the Delaine Eastin Instructional School Garden Bill in honor of the former State Superintendent who championed "A Garden in Every School" initiative
• Language was clarified to recommend that community-based organizations should be able to apply for funds independent of Local Education Agencies such as school districts in the future program
• Added language regarding school gardens supporting students learning about composting as part of State-wide efforts to reduce organic waste going to landfills
• Added CalFire to the state agency partners in the working group to advise the creation of a school garden instructional grant program

Other Updates

1. Watch the press release video with SB 341 principal co-authors Senator Sasha Renée Perez and Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh from the April press conference. Special thanks to Shannon from Soil Born Farms for coordinating our Sacramento press conference!
2. Our Sacramento Advocacy Day was a tremendous success, with 45 participants from across California! Together, we conducted over 35 meetings with legislators representing districts from San Diego to the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and beyond.
3. Alice Waters, founder of the Edible Schoolyard Project, continues to be a vital champion for SB 341. Check out her endorsement video.
4. Communication: The recent gap in our communication and broader coalition engagement is due to funding and a focus on legislative priorities. We appreciate your continued engagement and will be updating our website with more information soon. Thank you for your understanding and support.

NEXT STEPS: HOW YOU CAN HELP

Fund Our Future

Funding allows the coalition to benefit greatly from our project manager Linda Livers who has provided invaluable support to our efforts. Please include statewide garden program efforts in your organization's 2025-2026 budget planning with one of these annual membership levels:

• Seedling Partner: $1,000-$2,500 - Recognition on website and materials, coalition meeting participation
• Growing Partner: $2,500-$5,000 - Above benefits plus acknowledgment in legislative briefings and opportunities to contribute to implementation strategy
• Harvest Partner: $5,000+ - All benefits plus featured organizational spotlight and advisory role for the working group

Stay Tuned

We're planning a broader coalition meeting soon. We'll share the date and content once finalized, focusing on opportunities for meaningful input and action.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!

We're deeply grateful to the 130+ organizations and individuals who have signed our support letter, and Sarah Matsumoto and Sharon Hardwicke for providing testimony. Your endorsement demonstrates the widespread recognition of school gardens as vital educational resources.

The California School Garden Coalition advocates for every California public school to have the resources, including long-term funding, to provide on-site garden-based instruction as an equitable and cost-effective way to instill environmental literacy across all grade levels.

Visit caschoolgardens.org to learn more and get involved!