Coordinator
SaddleBrooke Master Gardeners
This school year kindergarten and first grade students at Mountain Vista Elementary School in Oracle, AZ learned about life science, scientific processes, health and wellness, and teamwork through creating a school garden and growing their own vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The project was a collaboration between three teachers, Julie Formo, Windy Messing, and Chantel Sloan and the University of Arizona Pinal County Cooperative Extension. Representing Extension were Everett Rhodes, Extension Agent, Jim Jepsen, School and Community Garden Coordinator, and volunteers from the SaddleBrooke Master Gardeners led by Laurie Bryant.
An after school garden club was formed and over 30 students signed up to participate once a week.
Throughout the year students worked with teachers and Master Gardeners to plant and grow vegetables and herbs, compost, and develop a worm farm. They learned about bees, butterflies, insects and their relationship to the garden. Students used scientific tools such as magnifiers, rulers, and thermometers to help them observe, measure, and test. They learned about soil composition, composting, mulching, and weeding all while working as a team.
But the most fun was harvesting and eating! How often can you get a five or six year old to eat a Spinach, Kale, and Lettuce Salad, with a side of radishes and cherry tomatoes and then come back for second and third helpings?
One parent said that after eating "real" carrots from the garden her son no longer wanted those little smooth carrots that come in a plastic package. He wanted the real deal! These are positive impacts that can have a long- term effects on health and wellness.
The school garden will continue next school year with some returning students who will act as mentors to new students who elect to join this wonderful after school program. The project was recently given a thumbs up by the Oracle School Board. With the first year in the rearview mirror, the SaddleBrooke Master Gardeners are already developing lesson plans and projects for the upcoming year to make this an even bigger and better learning experience for these beautiful children.