The Edible Garden at the American Overseas School of Rome

The Edible Garden at AOSR, was created out of the desire of teacher, parents and administrators recognizing the importance of teaching students to grow clean food and care for the earth, the environment and each other. Our Garden was born thanks to the encouragement of Alice Water whom I met at The American Academy of Rome. Alice encouraged our vision and gave us ideas and collaborators actively supporting us in the creation of our Edible Garden. 

AOSR Edible Garden Project Mission Statement

As an international school, we are vested with the responsibility to nurture life-long learners who make sound choices as global citizens.  The Edible Garden Project at AOSR offers authentic, interdisciplinary lessons to develop knowledge and life skills facilitating students’ responsible choices on sustainable use of resources. The Edible Garden Program is aiming to become an integral part of our curriculum and a model outdoor classroom teaching students how their choices about food affect their health, the environment and their communities.

Our Edible Garden is part of an interdisciplinary program that spans from pre-K to high school; about 620 students from 50 different countries. The Edible Garden is an outdoors classroom we are in the process of making it fully integrated into the curriculum and culture of the school. Herbs and produce grown in the Edible Garden are part of nutritious meals following Italian and International traditions. Our school prepares tomorrow's leaders as it caters to youth with diverse backgrounds: from the very privileged to the less “fortunate” from their countries of origin. The AOSR Edible Garden is in a very fortunate position as it creates a perfect opportunity for the AOSR community to come together regardless of age, color, background and religious beliefs and foster the love for the environment, the Earth and the joy of growing what nature so generously gives. It inspires young leaders in all aspects of their education knowing that upon its success will depend the future of our world. For this, the Edible Garden is a key element at AOSR and exposure to other programs and leaders will immensely benefit our program.