Rio Grande High School

The Rio Grande Garden seeks to build community and educate our students about real food and healthy living. Our school community struggles with obesity and poverty, so the garden engages students with the rich agricultural and food traditions of the area. Special Education uses it to help students feel pride and ownership while learning hands on skills. The culinary arts classroom uses fresh produce in their recipes and curriculum now explores what sustainable, local and real food looks like. And the Garden Club is a strong group full of students who have discovered their passion for growing through the school.
During renovations, the main garden plot will be destroyed and there are no funds to rebuild. We will reconstruct where there is a rain water collection system already installed. The new garden will have simple hoop house structures for season extension and drip irrigation to facilitate year round production with more staff time for student engagement instead of watering.