Sustainable Growth For The Future

Who are we: 

We are five juniors, Samantha Smith, Makayla McHugh, Isabella Roth, Isabella D'Amato, and Megan Lyons, who all decided to work together because we all have the same passion for sustainability, ending climate change, and fighting food insecurity. As well, each member of our group has their own skills and ideas that allow for the groups success. Makayla and Ella have their own gardens at home, and were therefore able to incorporate their prior knowledge of growing food sustainably directly into our project. Makayla also research information on our main topics, which was very beneficial. Sammy already works with the food pantry, and this connection has been very helpful toward the food insecurity aspect of our project, including our organized food drives. Megan has aided with each essential piece of our work, keeping her bright spirit even when dealing with hard topics and obstacles, which allows our group to keep persevering through setbacks. Finally, Isabella has a large passion for this subject, and while she was also involved in each aspect of the project, her main work consisted of managing the group's ideas and the organization of the group's materials. 

Project Goals:

We hope to inspire and educate the next generation of kids to help our environment by growing different crops and goods in their households. With the opportunity to learn how to garden sustainably, the children can develop different skills that are needed to help our world. They will learn how to care for others when in need, how to grow their own food, and spark a passion in being inspired to learn at school. They will hopefully take such skills and use them to create their own gardens as they get older. As a thank you for coming to Miller and teaching a lesson and planting plants, we asked the kids to bring food that the food pantry needs. 

• Educating people on how to be sustainable with food 

• Working with elementary school kids on growing their own food sustainably, 

• Inspiring people with our own efforts - a collective garden for all project members

• Donate food to the Holliston Food Pantry 

• In June, we will be having food drives

Community partnerships: 

Miller Elementary School

Holliston Food Pantry

Lessons learned:

• Learning to work well together is key to making progress 

• Making sure everyone's ideas are heard and taken into consideration is what allows your project to develop and expand

• Patience is necessary to obtain resources and see development; not everything is going to happen right away -  good things take time 

• Having a positive attitude even if things are not going the way we want them to 

• Educate yourself fully before you educate other people

• Incorporating and valuing each member of the group equally will be one of the best things you can do for your project

• Communication is key to your group's success (especially when one was in France)

• Grasping how to collaborate with administratives and adults will move your work forward

Progress and results:

We have planted many things of our own in the greenhouse at Holliston High School :

• Cucumbers

• Green beans 

• Basil 

• Cantaloupe 

Went to Miller Elementary Schools: 

• We taught a lesson to the students on how to be sustainable with food

• They planted their own plants, which they will take care of and watch grow

Food Pantry:

• 64 Goods collected on Tuesday 5/23/23, from the Elementary School