Paularino Elementary

We have developed and sustained a delightful and thriving little school farm for the past 8 years. Currently, we care for 10 healthy fruit trees, 8 raised beds, and 3 tubs of berries. Students maintain the garden by digging, preparing the soil, planting, and harvesting. Science and nutrition lessons, aligned to our science standards and health and wellness curricula, are conducted in the garden with K-6 grade students at least 3 times a month.

Our goal now is to improve our irrigation and to increase our vegetable production in order to harvest veggies directly from our own farm and to prepare and eat them at our own lunch tables. This grant will make it possible for us to move beyond “taste testing” and to really make the nutrition connection.

We were one of the first school gardens in the district. Many have modeled their gardens after ours. Again, we would like to take the lead in our district and set the example for the next step in school gardening—farm to table!