If you would like to learn more about Lower Columbia School Gardens come to the talk Ian Thompson is going to give to the Willapa Hills Audubon.
For the details check out the info on the WHAS website.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
In Fall 2012, first grade wanted to provide a hands-on experience that extended their science FOSS kits on plants beyond the classroom. Beacon Hill Elementary received support from the first grade teachers, first grade families, PTO, volunteers, and principal to construct four raised garden beds on the barren asphalt between two portables.
In November 2013, Ms. Clontz’s 29 first graders taught over 500 students at Beacon Hill the importance of composting and every grade is now composting after lunch!
For a task list and the garden calendar see the garden website. Contact Aspen Clontz if you like to help or have any questions.
As of October 2013,
October 2013 Harvest Festivals:
LCSG also facilitated gardening & cooking activities for kids in six Youth & Family Link programs and 9 Longview Parks and Recreation camps in 2013.
Thank you – it’s working!
A revealing video featuring some terrific agencies (school gardens start at minute 6). This was part of a “Feeding Washington Tour” by 19th District Representatives Brian Blake and Dean Takko on August 15th.
As always, the real credit goes to the hundreds upon hundreds of students, families, teachers, businesses, service organizations and charity groups that have created all this with their hard work and generous donations.
Contact Ian for more details
Used primarily by Life Skills students, Youth & Family Link’s after school program, and Sarah Wirtz’s science class, the Cascade Middle School Garden will soon be looking to expand.
Also in the works: Increased partnership and mentoring with neighboring Columbia Heights Elementary, which has a larger, more established garden.
Contact Sarah Wirtz if you like to help or have any questions.
“Help Grow Our School Garden” is our current motto!
The Rose Valley School Garden is currently in its preparation phase with plans to plant in the spring of 2013. Macy Grafton, a 3rd grader at the school, is organizing the project with the help of fellow students Addie Schierscher, Gracie Gann, parents & teachers, principal Dr. Mark Connolly, and Ian Thompson from LCSG. The garden will offer an outdoor classroom where students can develop a love for gardening while learning hands-on science, math and nutrition.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions please e-mail us at rvschoolgarden@gmail.com.
Looking for some good news? Look no further….
Taking advantage of a window of clear weather, we broke ground at Huntington Middle School in Kelso this Saturday, clearing a space for a new 70′ x 100′ garden.
Once again we are thankful and completely humbled by the community support. Jammie’s Environmental donated the use of the tractor and 2 expert (think “heavy equipment ninjas”) operators; Watkins Tractor donated the use of the excavator for the day. ECS donated the silt fence. There was a great turnout of volunteers.
Huntington Garden is off to a good start with funding from Weyerhaeuser Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, as well as Huntington PTO and some private donors. Help is pledged from Kellogg Gardens (soil and amendments), 5 Rivers Construction (concrete forms), and Cowlitz Fence Co.
Kids and volunteers are anxious to start digging. I guess I’ve been saying this for years now, but these are exciting times.
Good stuff, people.
The Daily News recently featured the new school gardens in Kelso at Carrolls and Rose Valley elementaries and Huntington Middle School. Our 16th school garden at Butler Acres Elementary in Kelso will come soon.