Life Lab and the California School Garden Coalition Advocate for Senate Bill 341 in Sacramento
April 2025
Life Lab, proud to be on the leadership team of the California School Garden Coalition, showed up at the State Capitol on April 9th to back SB 341 and help garden-based learning grow statewide.
SB 341 aims to update and expand California’s Instructional School Garden Program (ISGP) to include both instructional support and garden maintenance. Originally launched 25 years ago, the ISGP has struggled without consistent funding or technical assistance. Life Lab played a pivotal role in establishing the program in the 1990s and is thrilled to help bring it back—reimagined for long-term success across all California public schools.
Highlights from the Day:
✅ Meetings with 17 Senators and 17 Assembly members (and counting!)
✅ Inspiring press conference with Senators Sasha Renée Pérez and Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
✅ Students shared heartfelt stories about what their school gardens mean to them
✅ Over 43 registered advocates, with even more joining in person
SB 341 Progress:
✅ Passed the Senate Education Committee (6–0) on March 19
✅ Passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on April 29
🌟 One of just 41 bipartisan bills out of 2,278 introduced this session
✍️ Over 135 organizations have signed on in support
We’re excited to see how this revitalized program will positively impact students across the state—empowering them with hands-on, garden-based learning for years to come.