Newton North High School

Our garden is a multi-phased plan that offers opportunities for students to design sustainable gardens, care for and harvest crops, and gain an appreciation for agricultural time, which is unique in our fast-paced world. The garden spans several school programs, including Drafting, Art, Biology, English Language Learning (ELL), and the Culinary Arts. Funding allows us to add a greenhouse seed starter program, trellis, frame boxes for year-round gardens, and dwarf orchard to the existing cold frame herb boxes and tire planters for potatoes.

In its 2nd year, our garden has demonstrated how sustainable agriculture unites and feeds a community. Automotive and Art students found and painted recycled tires, now used as potato planters. Drafting and Carpentry students designed and built the existing cold boxes. With this grant they will have the ability to do even more. For example, using the Square Foot Garden design, ELL and culinary students will grow and harvest winter-tolerant crops, which will supplement menus in the student-run café. Drafting and Biology students will build a trellis in the spring. An orchard will eventually provide fruit for the day care program.