H. B. Slaughter Elementary School

Our school’s gardening program began in 2011.  We have expanded the program each school year and we currently have 24 raised garden beds. We have 12 – 2’ high half barrels, 6 – 3’ x 3’ beds, and 6 - 8’ beds.   Each kindergarten and first grade class has its own garden space (barrels and 3’ x 3’ units).  2nd through 5th grade classes collaborate and share garden space by grade level. 

With our Whole Foods grant, we intend to add two additional 8’ long garden beds this spring.  We garden because we want to expose children to how food grows and it is an excellent opportunity for students to participate in authentic inquiry.  Students are involved throughout the gardening process.  Our students enjoy observing their plants grow and they especially enjoy eating their harvest.  Some students have tried a food for the first time because they were involved in the process of growing it.