CAMS garden aids farm to table at school and teaches valuable life lessons

More than a year ago the Ag Science classes and Art students at Central Academy Middle School began a joint project of a garden behind the school. This school year, vegetables planted in the spring have appeared on the school lunch menu on the salad bar. And met with great success!

Said Ag Sciences teacher Jennifer Hannah, “We want to strive to make this a year round project. A greenhouse is in future plans to make that reality.”

“Art students have painted rocks for the garden and use it for inspiration when sketching,” noted Art teacher Courtney May. Both sets of classes have been involved in the planning and upkeep.

With the event of extra rain, the goldfish in the water feature—a fish pond — were brought into the school over the weekend to keep them safe. Extra care is a must the students are learning.

Vegetables taken by the buckets full to the cafeteria have included tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Added to that mix are herbs in the form of basil and parsley. Truly the farm to table movement has been successful through student efforts.

Using the greenhouse at BTEC, the students grew hundreds of plants. Some were grown from donated seeds from a previous article last fall. Teen Cuisine, a Family and Consumer Sciences class at CAMS has used the foods and made pickles! “Students really seemed to enjoy the cucumbers,” said Hannah

So it is a multi-cross-curriculum garden and best of all a life long experience the students have learned by taking care of a garden. “We hope to be able to share with the food pantry in the future,” noted Hannah.

A bluebird house in the garden complete with a live feed video camera installed, will hopefully teach a lesson on birds raising their chicks in the coming spring adding wildlife biology to the mix.

With the garden at CAMS, the possibilities are endless.

Photos courtesy of Courtney

Cutline for top: Students enjoy fresh cucumbers during class.

Below: Fresh veggies from the CAMS garden.