Submitted by Laurie Weldon

Second graders have been busy over the past few months getting their hands dirty. The hard work has paid off here at Thanksgiving. Students have been working in their school garden to grow collards and kale. In the spirit of paying it forward they harvested their crops and donated them to the Elmore County Food Pantry.

Second grade teacher, Ms. Katy Hall said the experience with the kids in the garden “has been a great learning opportunity for the students to make connections that the food we grow takes time and nurturing before it ever arrives at the grocery store”.

Student, Brittany Walker, said, “I enjoyed watering them, pulling the weeds, and watching them grow.”

The student’s work is not finished. They will continue to grow their winter crops and when spring arrives, they will rotate their crops for something new.

Principal, Mrs. Gigi Hankins, said, “Our classroom gardens have been a powerful opportunity to enrich learning for our students through hands on experiences. Students have been excited about their work in the garden from digging, planting, watering, and now harvesting their crop and sharing it with the community food bank. It’s been an incredible adventure that many might never have especially since gardening is not a common family activity anymore.”