Garden Project links learning inside and outside the classroom
 

Article provided by the Garden Committee

(June 2, 2011) This spring, the PTA Garden Project has experienced a growth spurt. With the addition of the Farm to School Initiative (F2S), headed by Tricia Putman, even more classes are utilizing Blackbird Paradise garden to study plant growth, environmental stewardship and the importance of good nutrition.

The Farm to School Initiative is a program that helps children learn where food comes from, offers hands-on experiences with it and highlights the importance of supporting local farmers. F2S uses strategies that are designed to motivate and empower students to make healthy choices. Tricia has been meeting with interested teachers to assist them in utilizing the garden in their lesson plans. In addition to our annual 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade planting sessions, F2S has enabled us to add some kindergarten and 1st grade classes to our garden programming. It’s been a busy spring in Blackbird Paradise. To learn more about F2S, click on the link on the Garden Project webpage.

Preparing Blackbird Paradise garden for the season was accomplished during one very productive Saturday morning in April. The bulk of the work was performed by local scout troops, made up of community-minded, capable young men and their parents. Special guest Keith Lee, a Cornell Cooperative Extension master gardener, was on hand to supervise the cleanup and soil enrichment. Many hands certainly made light work---it was a model of efficiency and teamwork. (see Scouts working in the photo gallery)

The official opening of the garden got underway soon after, as our first Go Beyond activity held in the garden allowed students from all grade levels to formally initiate our 2011 season by planting peas and lettuce. Most of the cold weather crops were planted in early May by Ms. Bye’s 2nd and 3rd grade science lab students who enjoy working in the outdoor classroom. Every 2nd and 3rd grade student was able to plant and mark an individual square in the garden. Setting up Blackbird Paradise as a square foot garden has enabled this kind of student “ownership” of individual square feet, encouraging the pride that goes along with being able to identify one’s own work. Second grade students planted bed 4, the cutting garden, as well as various other squares of marigolds to serve as companion plants for vegetables growing nearby.

The cutting flowers will be used to adorn our school community, serve as “thank you” bouquets to garden supporters and be used in future science labs, providing allergy-free seed alternatives for our students to use next year. Grade 3 students planted vegetable seeds and seedlings throughout the garden beds. While school is in session, volunteers will harvest the fresh organic produce and it will be served in the school cafeterias. During the summer months, produce will be delivered to a local food pantry and to local senior citizens in need. Special thanks to all the parent volunteers who helped make it possible for each student to plant their own Blackbird Paradise square in addition to 2 take-home plants.

May continued to be a busy month for the Garden Project as the Voorheesville Elementary School kicked off the first in a series of Farm to School (F2S) monthly taste tests. The roasted red potatoes from Schoharie Valley Farm (home of the Carrot Barn), prepared by our school chef Tim Mulligan, were a huge hit. Two F2S teams moved swiftly through the school, spending 8 minutes with each class discussing the potato’s role in a healthy diet, while conducting a taste test and class vote. The younger classes were delighted by the presence of a real live Mr. Potato Head acting as the team mascot. Adding to the fun, smaller Mr. and Ms. Potato Heads were placed around the school for students to locate. At the high school and middle school, educational posters and several small potato head mascots were strategically placed in order to highlight the program and educate students as to the value of locally grown produce. The roasted red potato dish was offered on the menu in all three schools later that same week. (see photos from the taste test in the photo gallery)

Kindergarten students were not left out of the fun as garden volunteers hosted Mrs. Zionts’ AM and PM kindergarten classes in Blackbird Paradise for a similar taste test and vote, energizing them for their role as our 2011 potato farmers! With assistance from parent volunteers, the garden committee and their teacher, each young student planted either a yellow, blue or white potato in a prepared bed, adding soil and their autographed plant markers. The entire community will be welcomed back in the fall to harvest the potatoes destined for the school
cafeterias. (see photos in the photo gallery)

Mrs. Peek’s 1st grade class will spend time in the classroom this spring learning about the squash plant and how it grows. Their project-based learning will culminate in a hands-on gardening experience when they venture out to
Blackbird Paradise to plant a winter squash in bed 3. Garden volunteers, including an F2S team, will join the 1st grade class to assist with planting, conduct a taste test comparing types of squash and discuss the importance of fresh, organic produce as part of a healthy lifestyle.

And last, but certainly not least, when you see mounds of dirt in Blackbird Paradise bed 5, you’ll know the fourth graders have struck again. Each spring, Mr. Murray’s and Mr. Burns’ classes plant side-by-side three sisters gardens. Each teacher uses slightly different planting techniques when demonstrating firsthand this example of traditional Native American companion planting.

There are only winners in this friendly class competition. We encourage you to ask your child to show off their work in the garden. As always, we look forward to working with you and your children in the garden. Please contact us for the volunteer schedule to see how you can join the experience. It’s fun, it’s educational, it’s rewarding and the kids love it.