THE LITTLE RED HENS AT WEDGEWOOD

“I have seen my students carefully scoop up an earthworm washed up by rain, and gently place it into one of the raised beds. These actions come from girls who last February would never have thought twice about squashing such a gross and slimy creature. It’s a small act, but it indicates a reconnection and responsibility to the surrounding environment.” —Rex Brooke, Teacher, Ramona High School

My last substituting day for 2009-10 was at Wedgewood Elementary School where I saw a true student-centered community garden under cultivation and already reaping a harvest. Kindergarten teacher Carolyn Murphy, and her husband Bob, a volunteer immersed in the project, are the forces behind this highly successful program.

Three years earlier a grant allowed the PTA to construct the hardscape for the garden. Mrs. Murphy's kindergarten students began planting the seeds and, over time, harvesting the crops. Mr. Murphy, newly retired, became a self-taught expert in gardening. As he learned he passed on his gardening expertise to the children, weeded the gardens, and worked with neighbors, to produce a school-community garden the likes of which I have not seen at any other elementary school. Now a school-wide project, Carolyn says you can teach a lot through gardening, but one of the main lessons is learning to care for and about something.

The gardens stretch along a perimeter fence and are visited by students, neighbors and interested people passing by. The landscape plan and maintenance is top notch, and the produce is beautiful to look at. Two UW grants help the current program continue and grow. Service learning is a focus, and produce is turned over to the food bank at the University Congregational Church.

The garden is home to an abundance of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Some unique features include rain barrels, a home for Mason bees which help with pollination, creation of a wildlife habitat, building birdhouses and feeders, and the addition this year of bat houses. Adding lady bugs and praying mantis insects help with the natural elimination of garden pests.

I ask myself what the difference is between Wedgewood's garden and those of most of the other schools. All of them certainly require teacher coordinators and other volunteers, but I think the level of commitment is what makes the difference here. Wedgewood is lucky to have Bob and Carolyn as part of its school family. Their love of the children and passion for this garden project is obvious when talking to them. They deserve a "golden apple" for their work. If you are in the neighborhood, drop by and see what a real community garden should look like. The address is 2720 NE 85th Street in Seattle, Washington.

If you would like to be a "Little Red Hen" at your school, check out the following web site to look for possible grant money:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/nutrition/schools/grants.aspx