GRANT REPORT - MASTER GARDENER - BISHOP ELEMENTARY
“Thank you for supporting our youth, exposing them to more nutritious ways to be in the world, will trickle into their lives, their families and communities! ”
As the weather moves into the full strength of summer, a garden exhibits a celebration of life, growth and vibrant energy of the season. The plant world is a flourishing combination of sights, sounds and scents - a literal sanctuary for the soul. The garden is also a practical, sustaining force in nature, providing food and nutrition for its keepers. If it is fresh produce one wants, the Bishop Elementary school garden is the place to be!
Master Gardener, Tiffany Vandehoven, a fifth grade teacher at the elementary school, with the help of MMCF, has expanded a small school garden to a masterpiece, including the 4th and 5th graders in this current 3rd grade project, reaching approximately 300 students! She cites, “Science has even gone to science experiment ‘simulations’ and students are not getting much time with hands-on learning. Time in the garden encourages healthy relationships between peers and nurtures a nature connection. If we want children to grow up and save the planet, they need to first connect. Having developed our small class garden three years ago, I have seen each of those above bullet points in action. I can't tell you how many parents have told me they've been trying for years to get their kids to each vegetables, and now they come home and ask for "bok choy" and want to plant a garden at home. Exposure to dirt also benefits kids' immune systems and decreases risks of allergies, depression and anxiety. My goal is to get more kids off of the screen, and participate in real science and nutrition education.”
With the help of a grant from MMCF, Tiffany has been able to amplify the school garden and following is what Tiffany had to share about this garden expansion.
What did you get from the grant?
This grant helped us expand our small class garden project to reach hundreds of students in multiple grade levels, and has been an essential stepping stone towards a larger K-12 garden and greenhouse program that we are very excited about! We've begun collaborating with the school cafeteria. We are currently working on a greens program where the salads will have a sign reading, "featuring lettuce grown from (teacher's) class!" We have introduced worms and created a cafeteria-to-compost line.
How did this grant improve the opportunities for the youth of Inyo County?
5th grade students were able to grow healthy fresh produce, build gardens for younger elementary classes, harvest and cook for their friends and families, and many students also started gardens at home. Most students in the program had not experienced any sort of gardening prior to this program, and ALL students who tended the gardens also ate out of the gardens! We have also ventured onto our local public lands to learn traditional ways to harvest and save seeds.
Can you tell us about the youth population that this program serves?
About 50% of the students in the program are indigenous youth. There are some English-learners in our program, and most students qualify as "low income." Many of the kids hadn't eaten from a garden before, and now they love to go out and pick on fresh arugula as they water!
How did this grant help your programs and teachers better engage the students?
Along with improving and growing our class garden, this grant allowed us to purchase and fill garden beds for any interested teachers. Our 5th graders assembled and filled the beds and were able to be leaders in working towards a school-wide garden program. We have been able to maintain more of a year-round program and are continuing to expand as we continue to use our funds from MMCF.
Did this grant improve the lives of the students and add to their educational experience with an opportunity they might not otherwise have?
Absolutely! Not only have they learned to garden, but we've been able to integrate math by calculating the volume of garden beds and also measuring soil temps in and out of the greenhouses. We integrate art and local history, storytelling and science, and getting their hands in rich soil always brings a smile to their faces!
Did the grant funds have the effect you were hoping for?
Yes 100% it has been a very successful year growing food, and we are just now heading into spring and summer crops!
What is the favorite/most popular vegetable for your students?
Carrots are always a favorite.
Which vegetable was the biggest surprise and how?
There's a few garden snacks that have surprised me how much they love. Arugula is fun to say, and they love the surprising spice! Also, they love that they can eat the leaves and flowers of the peas too. But they will eat everything that grows in the garden, beets and radishes, bok choy (another fun one to say) and broccolini!
Is there anything that you would like to convey to MMCF donors?
Thank you for supporting our youth, exposing them to more nutritious ways to be in the world, will trickle into their lives, their families and communities!
