Pinecrest Elementary "Vegetation Station" School Garden

Pinecrest Elementary received assistance through a "Multigenerational" grant back in 2012.  This small grant gave birth to the school's "Vegetation Station" garden.  From that point, a bigger program, "KidFit" came to life combining nutrition, gardening, health, and fitness together.  The "Vegetation Station" now has six large raised beds, handicapped accessible sidewalks, a watermelon patch, blueberry bushes, bucket gardening, fruit trees, sitting areas, and more.  "Watch Us Grow" originated during the 2016-17 school year as a new opportunity for students to become members of a student afterschool garden club meeting each Wednesday from 3:15 - 4:00.  Pinecrest partnered with SAFE of Sylacauga and "Get Healthy Talladega County" allowing representatives such as the Sylacauga Grows Community Garden and a wellness specialist to assist with the meetings.  The entire program has received over $27,000 in grants since its origination providing needed materials for the garden and new fitness equipment.  "Early Morning  Wake-Up Call" before school exercise and "Wednesday Walkers" began over five years ago.  The garden has grown and provides sweet potatoes, blueberries, watermelon, squash, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, turnip greens and more for classroom and lunchroom use.  KidFit Night events take place twice a year and provide opportunities for students to take part in a nutrition or health lesson, fun exercise segment, and healthy taste-testing.  The garden has now been planted with butterfly bushes making it a beautiful butterfly garden.  Pollination takes place with bees buzzing and students, teachers, staff, and friends can volunteer working in the garden or just sit back at the end of the day and reflect on the beauty of the garden and blessings it brings.