Jacob Beidler Elementary

Jacob Beidler is located in Garfield Park, a Chicago neighborhood on the west side. It’s a school that has flourished in this neighborhood; where gang activity and violence are sometimes a day-to-day reality. As a new first year science teacher at the school, I see a great need for students living in a city to develop genuine connections with nature and the foods that they consume. On a daily basis, I see students snacking on processed, high sodium junk foods. The Whole Kids school garden grant would help the students at Beidler elementary achieve a higher attunement for the food that they consume and the natural world around them.
This grant would help complete our plan; to build raised beds for growing vegetables & herbs, start raising chickens, and, as a whole, create a culture of healthy eating and living. Through student involvement in every step of the process, building, maintaining, and sustaining, our children will build a hands-on relationship with nature and the foods that they consume. Our goal is to instill a sense of stewardship to the land and a greater appreciation for eating fresh produce.