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Light Rain Milburn School unveils organic garden
K-5 students will maintain crops, donate to local food pantries
As part of their science and environment curriculum, students in the Milburn School Garden Club are helping to grow and maintain an organic garden on school grounds. And in addition to the education the garden provides for the students, school officials say they also plan to donate many of the crops to local food pantries.
"We are very fortunate that we are
receiving an $825 educational grant to encompass a new hands-on learning experience at the school," said Milburn parent Sheila Acquafredda, who helped build the garden with fellow parents and volunteers.
The school is growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant and herbs. And because it is an organic garden, the students won’t be exposed to any of the hazardous chemicals and pesticides often used in gardening. The students, in grades K-5, moved top soil and mulch into the garden beds and later mixed in manure. They are even using ladybugs to combat garden pests.
The school used the grant, donated by the Baldwin Foundation for Learning, to purchase science manuals, garden curriculum books and even a self-turning composting bin. Beginning in September, the students will use the composting bin to turn lunch room garbage into organic soil and organic liquid fertilizer.
Other supplies, like an in-ground sprinkler system, plants and seeds, were donated by local nurseries and vendors.
The garden is a huge hit with the students, Acquafredda said. She said that many students have passed by the school when she is watering the plants on Saturdays, and they will volunteer to help. Even middle school students have pitched in, she added.
Acquafredda recalled one emotional moment, when students in Mrs. Reed's first grade class surprised the teacher by planting an American flag made out of petunias in honor of her son, who is fighting in Iraq.
"It just shows you that the children are really enjoying it," Acquafredda said.
The Garden Club will continue to meet throughout the summer. A garden tea party is scheduled for July, as is a trip to the Faith Mission Food Pantry in Freeport to donate the food.
