Sponsorship:
A Youth Garden group must be sponsored by a federated garden club or District The youth groups can be organized in schools, churches, recreational and after-school programs, Scouts, 4-H, FFA, FHA, Campfire, and similar groups. The counselor of the group work directly or indirectly with the sponsoring CGCI Club in their community providing leadership, teaching talent, and any other help to effectively provide and assist in carrying out a quality youth gardening program for ages preschool through twelfth grade.

Purpose:
The purpose of the youth gardening groups is to build programs for these young people to be introduced to gardening, conservation, protection of wildlife, recognition of plants, trees and shrubs, basic flower arrangements, and a love a appreciation of nature. The goal is to help teach youth to be responsible and capable citizens with greater self-expression, dignity, integrity and knowledge of their environment.

Application Forms & Affiliation:
Application Forms must be submitted to the State Youth Activities Chairman for all new youth clubs for ratification. These forms (available online or by contacting your District YAC) must be signed by the sponsoring Club President and the District Director. When ratified to membership, the Eco-tot, Junior, Intermediate or High School Gardeners are entitled to all the privileges of the corporation except the right to vote and hold office.

The youth groups pay no fees or dues. CGCI pays ten dollars to the national organization which covers all of the youth groups in the state of California. Once sponsored by CGCI, the youth gardeners are eligible to compete for awards and recognition of activities as offered by CGCI once a year. Books of Evidence are submitted that share how the various projects were accomplished.