Garden Classrooms

 We run a four season Biodynamic garden on the property of an elder care center here in San Francisco. We encorporate cooking and service to the elderly. We grow herbs, fruits, flowers, vegetables and grains. Children grades K through 3 come to the garden year round. 

Students—from 3-year-olds to 5th graders–-engage in planting seedlings and readying the garden space for spring planting, as well as tending the seedlings in the garden, harvesting and enjoying the produce. Learning about the garden life cycle, where food comes from, the science of seedlings, composting, and participating in cooking demonstrations are all natural extensions of the garden program.

 Mark Newbie's edible garden was enabled and begun last year due in part to a Whole Foods garden grant. We have had two full planting seasons teaching children about composting rainbarrel watering, planting , pruning, harvesting and eating raw organic veggies grown by their hands alone. We are an afterschool parent run program that is only part of a larger parent run program called green team encompassing some 60 of the 150 students enrolled in this k-5 suburban elementary school outside of Philadelphia, PA near Camden, NJ. Our goal as parents with this garden is multi fold.

     Wilkinson Elementary School has a school garden.  It was built with money provided through a grant from Whole Kids Foundation and a local Boy Scout Troop.  The garden has been a huge success this year.  We are fortunate to have the help of three Master Gardeners.  All grades of our elementary students have participated in the garden classroom this year.  Classes go into the garden for mini sessions with the Master Gardeners.  They have learned about the plant life cycle, composting, micro-irrigation, natural pest control and healthy eating.  Many students have gone home to start garden