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DES students harvest first crop from Learning Garden program
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Posted on Apr 25 2012
By Clarissa David
Reporter
Reporter
Since the launch of the “Learning Garden” initiative in Dandan Elementary School in February, students have planted tomatoes, corn, onions, okra, and pineapple in their three small plots.
Now, the young learners who are members of the school’s Young Farmers Club are enjoying the fruits of their labor, celebrating their first harvest by making salsa using fresh vegetables from their own garden.
Fourth grade teacher John Ulrich said he meets the students weekly to educate them about the science and art of horticulture. These students tend to the garden daily with the assistance of parent volunteers, according to Ulrich.
“I have been very impressed with the students’ desire to learn and to take care of the garden,” said Ulrich, who is also the Young Farmers Club coordinator.
Dandan Elementary School was the first of the three pilot schools to be introduced to Tan Holdings’ Learning Garden initiative, patterned after school learning gardens in the U.S. mainland. The project involves public and private organizations partnering with schools and communities to create gardens that would teach students how to grow their own crops, nurture healthy lifestyles, and take an active part in nature conservation and environmental stewardship.
Learning Garden was made possible with the support of the Public School System, the Northern Marianas College – Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In the coming days, the students plan to take a field trip to local vendors along Dandan Road to sell bags of tomatoes and learn about the business aspect of farming.
Through the field trip, Ulrich said the students will have “real world experience” selling their products while learning about marketing and supply and demand, among others. “By having the students solicit these vendors they will learn lifelong skills that they can apply in real life situations throughout their life.”
Ulrich expressed hope that they will have a larger garden in the future and that the program will expand to include green energy projects such as a rain garden, solar and wind energy alternatives, rain catchment, and purification systems.
