Eagleton Elementary School Garden

Garden Leader: Gigia Kolouch thenaturalpantry@estreet.com

Our garden started 5 years ago with a parent outreach group who wanted their children to have a school garden on site. The first year the parents and after school coordinator Norma Vazquz built the garden with the assistance of Learning Landscapes, who also designed the new playground. The second through 4th years, we implemented an after school and summer program (Wellness in the Garden) developed and taught by Gigia Kolouch from Learning Landscapes and Slow Food Denver. The WIG program integrates botany, life cycles, social studies, nutrition and cooking in the garden. Some of our favorite garden produce: kohlrabi, carrots, potatoes, peas, beans, hot chiles, tomatillos, lettuce, herbs and strawberries.

Since then, we have produced fall youth farmers’ markets, provided the cafeteria with garden produce, hosted harvest parties featuring garden produce cooked by students with over 100 in attendance, and continued our after school program. In addition 4 classes of ECE, 2nd graders and 3rd graders grow plants for the garden and have 3 garden classes a year. Last year with support from the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, we hosted garden training workshops for other schools and community members. This year we will be participating in a pilot Garden to Zoo program where we exchange fresh produce for the monkeys for an onsite zoo visit and class. Our program’s goal is to develop a life long love of gardening, fresh food and healthy fruits and vegetables in our community.