Parenting
A few years back, my partner, Sarah, took on a part-time teaching assistant role at our kids’ charter school. While there, she discovered an old greenhouse on the grounds, which sparked an idea: Why not create a school garden? With her background in horticulture and passion for gardening, she approached the school administration. They were receptive but needed funding.
So, Sarah and I set out to find grants for a straightforward initiative: to educate children about food production from seed to table. We devised a program where students would design a garden bed, learn about the plants, their nutritional benefits, and the entire process from planting to harvest. Once the crops were ready, they could keep some for themselves and donate the rest to the school cafeteria, where their fresh produce would be served to classmates at lunch. Thanks to a generous grant from Lowe’s Home Improvement, some much-needed repairs to the greenhouse, and the establishment of about 40 garden beds, our school now boasts a thriving gardening program that has become beloved by students, parents, and teachers alike.
Interestingly, what we initiated in our small town in Oregon is part of a growing trend across the nation. Research published in the International Journal for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity has revealed that school gardens significantly benefit children’s education and their diets. In a study focused on schools with a large number of students on free or reduced lunch programs, it was found that school gardens, especially when paired with cooking and nutrition classes, led to children consuming an average of half a serving more vegetables per day compared to those without such resources.
As a parent, I can attest that getting kids to eat their veggies can be as challenging as the infamous dinner scene in “A Christmas Story.” Half a serving may seem small, but combined with food education and gardening, it could lead to lasting dietary changes. Jaimie Davis, a nutritional sciences associate professor at UT Austin and the study’s lead author, emphasizes the importance of teaching children about food sources and preparation, especially for families facing food insecurity.
If the prospect of children increasing their vegetable intake doesn’t convince you, consider the academic benefits of school gardens. A well-established program in the U.S., OutTeach (formerly REAL School Gardens), has helped launch hundreds of school gardens while training educators on effective garden-based instruction. Their findings are impressive: schools with gardens saw a 15% rise in standardized test scores, and 94% of teachers reported heightened student engagement. Even more encouraging, teachers experienced increased job satisfaction, which is a significant benefit.
While navigating through the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, once things stabilize, I strongly recommend advocating for a school garden. Our experience has shown it to be a wonderful addition, offering families a chance to volunteer and enjoy the outdoors while enhancing our children’s understanding of nutrition. Honestly, the only downside I can think of is getting your hands a bit dirty—but that’s all part of the gardening experience!
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In summary, establishing a garden at your child’s school can greatly enhance their nutritional habits and academic performance. With the right support and resources, these programs can foster a deeper understanding of food and wellness, making them invaluable to our children’s education.