Program Mission

Our growing plan varies from a typical growing schedule because we will only be growing during the school year. The use of season extension will allow us to start planting in August and continue to plant and harvest under the low tunnels throughout the fall and winter. Our plan ensures that there is something to plant and harvest each month of the school year. The other produce that we will grow in the outdoor gardens are radishes, cilantro, snap peas, carrots, spinach, and kale.

Studies have shown that when students take part in growing they are more likely to taste it and then request it at home. All produce grown in our gardens will be harvested by students and then used for tastings in the classroom or cafeteria. Teachers and students will prepare each vegetable in two different ways because we have found that some students might try the vegetable raw and not like it at all but if they try it roasted, cooked in the air fryer, or as part of a more complex recipe that they might have a different opinion of that vegetable. Any leftover produce will be sent home with students with a copy of the recipes that we used in class in hopes that students will prepare and enjoy the recipes with their families. To strengthen the home-to-school connection, teachers will be posting updates of the gardens so parents can see their children caring for the gardens and enjoying the fresh produce and we will challenge families to post pictures of their healthy meals from home.