New coalition connects school gardeners
Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, August 29, 2011
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Ashland Elementary students enjoy exploring the collaborative garden behind nearby Temple Adath Israel.
School garden enthusiasts have formed a coalition to share resources and exchange ideas, for instance, about what plants grow best, where to find grant money and how to round up volunteers.
It promises to be a valuable network for teachers and parents establishing vegetable and flower gardens, rain gardens, sensory gardens and related endeavors throughout Fayette County Public Schools.
“What I’ve noticed is a real gathering of momentum,” said Josh Radner, a science teacher at Yates Elementary for six years. “The idea is to make a connection between all the people doing this kind of work because we can be resources for one another.”
Henry Clay High School hosted the coalition’s initial meeting Aug. 25. The varied group included a teacher from Garden Springs Elementary, a parent from Dixie Magnet Elementary and community experts there to offer advice and services, among others. For instance, environmental educator Chris Muesing noted how Bluegrass PRIDE can partner in schools’ recycling and composting efforts, and education director Becca Self explained Seedleaf’s focus on growing, cooking, sharing and recycling food.
Other participants recommended a basic gardening class offered by the county extension service, perennial plant swaps and a tour of established school gardens.
Ashland Elementary parent Jo Stone, who proposed the coalition, leads a Friday morning class where students tend raised beds outside their school and work a collaborative garden behind nearby Temple Adath Israel. Some kids have signed up a second and even a third year.
“I love to explore the plants,” said fifth-grader William Diaz, who also enjoys growing watermelons, strawberries and corn on his grandfather’s Winchester farm.
Stone pointed out to her class last week how the tomato plants that William set out as seeds have grown taller than he is!
“It’s really important for kids to be outside and know where food comes from,” she said.
Radner agreed.
“A garden is where they can hold a worm in their hand or smell something,” he noted. “For teaching science, it is the best way to help kids make sense of animals, plants and ecosystems. They can see concrete examples of plants competing for survival, pollinators working, predator/prey relationships – all of that’s happening in a garden. So gardens are a great way to teach life science.”
One tremendous new resource for the school district is Locust Trace AgriScience Farm, which is an extension of Eastside Technical Center. Locust Trace has set aside some land for other schools’ students to garden on its property off Leestown Road. In addition, FFA students must complete an SAE (supervised agricultural experience), so they might be available for summer gardening duties at other sites when volunteers are scarce.
Marty Flynn, program coordination in the district’s Child Nutrition Department, also spoke at the coalition meeting about policies and guidelines set forth by FCPS, the Kentucky Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For example, cafeterias are not allowed to serve food produced in school gardens.
Flynn also suggested that garden leaders be GAP-trained (Good Agricultural Practices) and reminded them of soil testing and other safety measures.
Another concern is site selection and maintenance. FCPS has a form to be completed for school garden project proposals. Among other requirements, applicants must describe the precise garden location and size, and explain the ties to school curriculum and the impact on student learning.
Initial hurdles aside, young William urged more schools to get on board, saying, “I think they should find a place and try a garden.”
Resources
School Garden Coalition website
Next coalition meeting: 4 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 31 at Henry Clay High School
Tresine Logsdon, the district’s energy and sustainability curriculum coordinator