Grayson, Yukon
Please describe your garden, is it raised beds, in the ground, do you have a greenhouse?
We constructed a raised bed garden with a reservoir in order to allow for the plants to sustain period of time during the summer when the students are not around to care for it. We do not have a greenhouse at this point, but that is the next project that we are trying to raise funds for.
What vegetables/fruit do you grow in your garden? What do you have a difficult time growing in your school garden?
We plan to grow lettuce, tomatoes, onions and carrots this upcoming year.
Why did your school decide to add a school garden?
We are initiating a program that will enhance the nutrition of the students at the school. Also we want to provide students with the opportunity to see the growth process from soil to table. This students in the Practical and Applied Arts program are using the produce to learn about proper food handling and preparation.
What classes participate in the garden, what subjects are taught in the garden?
This garden is for the grade 8 and 9 class but we are planning to have one garden for each of the classrooms in the future.
Who manages the garden day to day? Who manages the garden over the Summer break?
The students will manage the day to day gardening. We have in-town students who will care for the garden during the summer.
What do you do with the harvest from your garden? Do you have a harvest celebration? Do you use it in the cafeteria, or culinary classes? Do you donate some of the produce?
We will be using the produce for our food preparation and handling classes in the upper grades. We will do some celebration cooking with our younger students.
Do you have community involvement? Do you have parents and volunteers? Have been able to source other funding to help your garden grow?
We will have our local greenhouse owner help with the planting. She has already been instrumental in teaching the students about proper planting procedures.
What are your future plans for the school garden?
As mentioned before, we want to make a garden for each of the classrooms and also start our own plants in a greenhouse.
Any words of encouragement/tips for a school starting a school garden?
This is a great learning opportunity for all students. Also this is a way to motivate students who may otherwise have difficulty with the more academic classes. Unfortunately I am unable to send a picture but I can email a picture if you would like me to.
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