2018 Poppy Seed Fundraiser National Service Project:
This fall your kids can honor veterans with the 2018 Poppy Fundraiser Project and raise funds to both:

1. Help Build the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.

2. AND raise funds for your school/group garden projects!

Who

The Junior Master Gardener program is proud to partner with the US World War One Centennial Commission’s Poppy Seed Program to raise money for the new National World War I Memorial in Washington DC. Your organization can purchase the WW1CC Poppy Seed packets and sell within your community to help honor the 4.7 million Americans who wore the uniform during WWI.

What

Poppies grew across the war-torn battlefields of Europe after World War I, and this year marks the 100^th anniversary of the US entering that war.  From 2017 to 2019, the US World War I Centennial Commission will tell the story of those American Veterans.

When & Where

A Competition Countdown for participating students, schools, and community organizations continues!

Thank you for the great enthusiasm for the Fall 2017 Poppy Fundraiser Competition Countdown! Since no single group has yet sold the minimum 50 kits to eligible to win trip to the ground-breaking of the National WWI Memorial in Washington DC, we are extending the countdown!

Between now and October 2018, students, schools, and community organizations are encouraged to participate in the Poppy Seed Program. This special project that allows schools/groups the opportunity to raise funds to support local youth garden projects while also honoring veterans by supporting the National World War I Memorial.

Representatives from up to four of the highest selling groups/schools (a total of 4 students/adult chaperones from each of the winning groups) will be invited to experience an all-expense paid trip to attend the dedication of the National WWI Memorial in Washington DC in November 2018! To be eligible to win, groups must sell a minimum of 50 total WW1-JMG Poppy Seed Kits.

Why

The Poppy Seed Program provides an opportunity for your group or school to raise funds to support local youth garden projects while also honoring veterans by supporting the National World War I Memorial.

“These red poppies are so simple to grow!”

Scatter the seeds over bare soil in full sun after danger of frost has past. Dragging a rake over the seed bed will provide adequate preparation for the seed. Space them about one foot apart. Keep the seed bed moist.

Germination occurs in about a week. Poppies will self sow if allowed to go to seed, so you may only have to plant them once!

Poppy Project Fundraiser Details

• What does it cost?
  For a donation of $64.99, WW1CC provides “Poppy Seed Kits” of 60 packets.  A recommended selling price of $2 each would generate a total of $120.  The first dollar goes to the National WW1 memorial in Pershing Park, DC.  The second dollar stays local to support activities or programs.

• When are the poppy kits available to purchase?
  Poppy Seed Kits are available now. Participation in the competition is taking place now through October 20, 2017! (See When & Where: 50 Day Competition Countdown info above.)

• How does our group/school sell the poppy seeds?
  Your group/school can purchase seed kids first then sell the packets OR you can take pre-orders and collect money prior to ordering the Poppy Seed Kits. (Download School Poppy Seed Pre-Order Form PDF, editable .doc file)

• How long does it take for poppy kits to arrive?
  Once ordered, your poppy seeds will arrive in 3-5 business days.

• How much can my school fundraiser make during the Poppy Project?
  For a donation of $64.99, WW1CC provides “Poppy Seed Kits” of 60 packets.  The recommended selling price is $2 per packets of seeds would generate a total of $120.
  
  As an example:
  In the first week of the fundraiser, if your campus sells/orders 50 kits:

            Total Collected for Seed Kit Pre-Orders:   $6000 (collected up front)

            Total Cost of Seed Order:    $3249.50 (donation to WW1 Memorial)
            Total Profit per 5O kits:      $2750.50 (your fundraiser revenue)

Help Honor Our Veterans

Links to Support Content:

• The History of 4-H and related WWI contributions: http://ext.vt.edu/4h-youth/makers.html (click on 4-H and WWI)
• 4-H WWI Maker Activities: http://ext.vt.edu/4h-youth/makers.html
• “A History of Agricultural Extension Work 1785-1923”: https://archive.org/details/historyofagricul00true  (Note: WWI time period begins on page 134)
• National 4-H History Preservation Program: http://4-hhistorypreservation.com/  (Note: The 2017 newsletters have articles related to WWI)
• U. S. World War I Centennial Commission education resources: www.theworldwar.org/education
• Document your community’s WWI memorials (Memorial Hunters Club): www.worldwar1centennial.org/memorial-hunters-club-about.html