Published: June 23, 2009 08:00 pm      

Students learn how to make gardens grow

MSU Extension/ 4-H recently started a program at Traverse City West Middle School called "Grow and Learn". The basic idea of this 4-H funded project was to involve middle school students in hands-on learning about gardening and the benefits of proper nutrition to a healthy life.

Grow and Learn has involved two groups of students and their advisors. One group of students led by science teacher Eric March and foods and nutrition teacher Rebecca Walters, has been growing and using fresh produce at the school. These students built cold frames and raised beds to grow vegetables which they plan to consume in the fall when they come back to school. In addition to the gardens, the students built a composting bin which will be used to compost vegetable scraps from the cafeteria. In the fall the students will have a greenhouse to extend their growing season and complete the cycle by using their own compost to grow more veggies. All of these activities have been woven into the curriculum taught by Mr. March and Ms. Walters. With additional effort, it is hoped that these activities will lead to having West Middle School designated a "Green School".

In addition to the "veggie experience," the West Middle School students stepped in to save plants and bushes that would have been lost during this summer's redesign of the schools entrances and exits. The Junior National Honor Society, led by their advisor, school nurse Pat Quinlan, volunteered to dig up, pot, and move more than 100 plants and bushes to save them for replanting in the fall. If you ever thought that 12 to 14-year-old kids don't know how to work, you'd be wrong. The JNHS students grabbed shovels, cutters, and hoes and literally dug in! The students were directed by three volunteer Master Gardeners: Susanne Weiss, Diane Presnell, and Jean Mahoney. The kids and their advisors worked rain or shine to get the job done before the end of school. I can report that the plants and bushes they saved are resting peacefully, waiting to be replanted in the fall.

It was a pleasure to watch a well planned 4-H project proceed to a successful result. The students, their advisors, and the school administration in the person of middle school principle Pam Alfieri, were all great. It was obvious they were all proud of their school and that they were wiling to work to make it even better. On top of everything, the students had a chance to experience some hands- on learning in science and nutrition.

This project has been successful because 4-H provided a great program, the students and advisors provided a great effort, and overall we had a great result.