Orchard Middle School reports for the first time this week they harvested a huge box of romaine and it was used in the cafeteria today in salads - a fact noted in the morning bulletin. The afterschool cooking class will be utilizing romaine and radishes next week. There was some trouble engaging kids in helping after school so Laura Neal tried to go out during lunches and putter. It attracts a few kids, but when they were harvesting lettuce this week - There were 10 helpers and it was pretty funny.
They have already put 4 tomatoes in the beds - two of the varieties are actually forming buds in spite of the cold. When it warms up they will be putting in some miniature bell peppers and a jalapeno. There is also carrots, cabbage, broccoli and peas. The plan is to fill in with more greens as they harvest the romaine and get a pole bean tower up over the radishes as they will finish soon. Credit goes to Erin Coyle who built the beds last year with donated supplies.
Seeds For Thought: October 09
Joan wanted to let everyone know that EAT received the funding for the mini roto-tiller and loading ramp from NW Farm Credit Services. Once it is purchased, we will store it in the John Newbery garden shed and it will be available for use at any of our regional school gardens. Please contact Joan Qazi (jqazi@nwi.net) with questions. Way to go, Joan!
Seeds For Thought: August 09
Thank you Joan for sharing this School Garden Q&A from Cynthia Long, USDA Director of the Child Nutrition Program. She explains how funds from the Child Nutrition Program can be used towards School Gardens.
Recently, we have received several questions regarding the operation of a school garden. Attached are questions and answers to address this issue. As in the past, please share this information with your school food authorities.
CYNTHIA LONG
Director
Child Nutrition Programs
1. Q: Can the school food service use funds from the nonprofit school food service account
to purchase seeds for a school garden?
A: Yes, with the understanding that the garden is used within the context of the program, i.e.
selling the food or providing food in the classroom as part of an educational lesson.
2. Q: Can the school food service use funds from the nonprofit school food service account
to purchase items for the school garden such as fertilizer, watering cans, rakes, etc.?
A: Yes, as long as the items are used for the purpose of starting and maintaining the garden.
3. Q: Can a school sell food grown in their school garden that was funded using the
nonprofit school food service account?
A: Yes, as long as the revenue from the sale of the food accrues back to the nonprofit school
food service account. Schools can serve the produce as part of a reimbursable meal or sell it
a la carte, to parents, to PTA members, at a roadside stand, etc.
4. Q: Are there health/safety issues involved with school gardens?
A: Yes. SFAs need to familiarize themselves with the Federal, State, and local requirements
regarding health and sanitation issues.
5. Q: Can the school food service purchase produce from another school organization that
is maintaining and managing the garden, such as Future Farmers of America (FFA)?
A: Yes, the school food service may purchase produce from a garden run by a school
organization such as FFA, which is an agricultural education program for students.
6. Q: Can funds received through the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program (FFVP) be used
to purchase seeds/tools/equipment for a school garden?
A: No. FFVP funds may not be used for the purchase of any materials for school gardens.
7. Q: What if there is excess produce from the garden left over at the end of the school
year?
A: The school should first see if the excess food can be used to benefit another program such
as the SFSP. If that is not possible, they could try selling the food (as always, the profit must
accrue back to the nonprofit school food service account) or donate it in accordance with
State and local health/safety regulations.
Seeds For Thought: Jun/Jul 09
The heat is on! With summer in full swing now, don't forget those gardens may need an extra sprinkling of water. Sunnyslope Elementary has their sign up and a full garden bed. Check out the pictures below. Don't forget Quillisascut Farms is hosting a couple of different events this month. Why not enjoy a mini-vacation up in the Methow Valley and increase your knowledge in the art of school gardening? See you next month!
Seeds For Thought: April 09
April Comment Highlights: Spring Garden Clean Up Dates and Newbery Greenhouse Field Trips.
Seeds For Thought: March 09
March Comment highlights: Crop Rotation, Compost donations, NCW School Garden Documentary.
jqazi said...
I just wanted to share the plot rotation that we will be using in the Foothill's garden after learning about it from master gardener, Doug Bergstrom. He suggested dividing our circular garden into 9 plots (like a pizza pie) and then having the following rotations:
1. buckwheat or barley as fallow crop
2. brassicas like brocolli, cabbage, carrots...
3. alliums like onions, leeks, garlic...
4. beet family like beets, spinach,cauliflower
5. carrot family like carrots, parsnips, radish
6. legumes like broad beans, french beans, peas
7. brassicas again (we're doing squash)
8. legumes again (we're skipping this plot)
9. courgettes like cucumbers, lettuce OK here
Then next year, we'll move each crop over one plot in a clockwise rotation. This is one way to help build up the soil apparently. Any comments or other suggestions?
March 29, 2009
NCW School Gardens said...
I've read about this and wondered how this could be incorporated into our gardens. What a great list! Thanks, Joan!
March 29, 2009
Ms. Coyle said...
Are all of school gardens organic? If, so I have been looking for a local source for organic soil amendments and have come up empty-handed. Any tips? Currently, I am ordering from Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply in California . . .
April 02, 2009
jqazi said...
We got donations originally from Integrated Fertility Management for the Newbery Garden, but they're no longer in business. Recently, Doug Bergstrom master gardener told me that Valley Feed will start carrying a line of organic amendments. We might want to look there. I think that most gardens are trying to be as organic as possible (not certified of course) so avoid any kind of chemical inputs.
April 03, 2009
jqazi said...
Hey everyone!
I just had a meeting with Oly Mingo of Howell at the Moon Film Productions (they made Broken Limbs) and he would like to team up with EAT (assuming we can get some grant money) to produce a 5 minute video/web clip on the many school gardens that are sprouting up around the Valley. He is ready to donate 2 hours of his time each week to film the development of these gardens and the kinds of student activities that go on in the gardens. The clip could be used potentially on school websites or as promotion to leverage future funding for garden maintenance...plus could be a nice promo for what you all are doing.
If you like the idea, could you please let me know AND tell me what dates you have scheduled for work parties, class activities, garden clubs, transplanting, etc??
Thanks!
April 03, 2009
NCW School Gardens said...
The City of Quincey apparently sells compost they manufacture for $20 per truckload.
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