By

Laura Piercy,   Versailles Elementary School

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Access to Healthy Foods

This spring, Versailles Elementary started a school garden. Our Garden Club has met 4 times already. We have planted seeds and transplanted them into bigger containers as they have grown. We have also assisted with the building of the raised garden beds. We can't wait to put the plants into the beds in a few weeks. The students have discussed what to do with the food harvested. They have suggested: donating the food to the school cafeteria, donating the food to the Buddy Pack program so students can get fresh veggies, selling the produce so the proceeds can be invested back into the garden.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

The adults created a plan for the students to follow each time the club meets. The adults have also given the students a voice in the decision making process; what seeds to plant, what to name the garden, where to place a potential sign for the garden and ideas on how to keep kids at recess from playing in the garden beds.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

To sustain our garden, we have applied for a few grants and received them. We will also have a Dig in the Dirt Dinner fundraiser. Community members will purchase a ticket to the dinner and proceeds will go towards the school garden. Now that we know what we need, it will be easier to develop a list of needs each year.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

We really struggled with how many to let in the Garden Club. We knew we didn't have a LOT of space for everyone. So we used the advice from a school with a VERY successful garden and kept things small. We limited our first Garden Club to students in 5th grade. Those wanting to be in the Garden Club had to fill out an application. The assistant principal and I went through the applications and hired those students for the Garden Club. Everyone who filled out an application was chosen.