Planting Seeds

Primary school students in the Owens Valley learn about healthy eating and science concepts as they plant gardens, harvest their crops, and eat tasty dishes with the plants they grow. Sustained by grant funding, ICOE facilitates the school garden program. For 10 weeks in the fall, kindergarten and/or first grade students at each school participate in one 30-minute garden-related lesson each week. After harvesting the vegetables, students make and eat vegetable soup. Another set of 10 lessons are offered in the spring where students grow lettuce, peas, spinach, and radishes. During the last lesson, students harvest their vegetables and make a delicious salad to share.