Garden Clubs are sprouting-up at many schools throughout our State. With programs like Seeds to Success, a cooperative between the Louisiana Department of Education and the LSU AgCenter, agricultural education is serious business and of course, lots of fun too! So, when we were invited to tour the garden at Sallie Humble Elementary School in Monroe, we were very excited and couldn't wait to learn more about their Garden Club, Let's Grow Together.
My tour guide, April Pealer, is the program's leader, a teacher at Sallie Humble, and an avid at-home gardener. Mrs. Pealer is also known to explore plants and recipes that have historic roots some dating back to the Middle Ages such as Acorn Flour. Recently she collected acorns and went through a tough shelling process. Who knew shelling acorns could make your hands so sore? Our ancestors had many challenges!
Next, she went through the tedious and critical process of removing tannins from the acorns (without this process they are too bitter to eat) and next roasting them. The entire process takes hours upon hours. Ultimately, she ground the roasted acorns into flour, and then made pancakes for her husband, Chris, and son, Finn. Yep, we think garden club students are in good hands, even if they get a little sore on occasion.
Back to the tour! At first glance, the garden is impressive and designed with strategically placed planting areas, a composting station, educational signage, and a custom-built storage unit for tools and other supplies. (The storage unit was donated by Stewart's Helping Hands.)
 Stewart's Helping Hands Sallie Humble/April Pealer |
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 April Pealer Compost Station |
 Worms being added to the Compost Station Image Sallie Humble/April Pealer |
Mrs. Pealer is the first to say, "Our garden is successful because of an incredible team and school support." I would say, "Wow! What an impressive team!"
Kerry Heafner is a local horticulture extension agent at LSU AgCenter for Ouachita Parish and is a Master Gardener Coordinator for our area. He has been instrumental since the beginning lending his expertise and resources. In our community, if you are talking to anyone about gardening, Mr. Heafner's name is sure to come up. Macaroni Kid Monroe-West Monroe recently wrote an article about the LSU AgCenter's Seed Preservation Program. Through this program, he has recovered plants that were once thought to be extinct, and now they are flourishing through a seed-sharing program.
Taylor Seale is a certified Science teacher for 3rd grade at Sallie Humble and a garden enthusiast.
Dextor Houston is the assistant principal at Sallie Humble and a home gardener.
Connie Commenia is a community member volunteer who is currently enrolled in the Louisiana Master Gardener Program. (Side note: We hear her daughter Tracy Hill is Teacher of the Year! Congratulations!)
Angela Rychart is a gifted art teacher at Sallie Humble who taught science for 12 years.
Additional support includes LSU AgCenter, NELA Master Gardeners, North Louisiana Seed Preservation Program, Stewart's Helping Hands, Sallie Humble's Science, Social Studies, and P.E. teachers will also use the garden to reinforce existing lessons.
 Kerry Heafner and Student Learning How to Plant, Sallie Humble/April Pealer |
 Taylor Seale and Students Image Sallie Humble/April Pealer |
The Let's Grow Together Garden Club members were excited that their Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and multiplying onions survived the recent bitterly cold temperatures but, they didn't take too long celebrating because they had to get busy planning for Spring!
What's in the works? Lots of herbs and pollinator flowers such as Cosmos, Bee Balm, Phlox, Borage, Marigold, Black-Eyed Susan, Native Milkweed, Purple Echinacea, Maypops, and Zinnias. Consider these plants for your garden to help feed the bees in your neighborhood and make sure your kids get their hands dirty.
Planting pollinator flowers is very important because it feeds pollinators, especially bees. To learn more about bees and an upcoming online series, "At-Home Beekeeping" read this article, TOP 10 Facts About Bees. You will find a fun video for children.
 Sallie Humble/April Pealer |
The Garden Club has plans for a robust vegetable garden too that will include vegetables such as squash, Irish potatoes, radishes, tomatoes, beets, and okra. Did I mention they are planting trees too? On Arbor Day the first tree was planted, and they started with a Persimmon tree. Next will be blueberry and fig trees.
Teachers have the awesome responsibility of helping young minds grow. It's a job that requires patience, kindness, creativity, and a desire to help kids reach their full potential. They do this by providing the tools and resources they need to succeed, offering positive reinforcement, and motivating them to stay engaged in the learning process. At the same time, they help them build confidence in their abilities and foster a sense of self-worth.
In other words, the students are planting a garden and watching it grow while the teachers see those students plant a garden and they are watching the students grow. Yet another way, teachers are making a lifelong impact in their students' lives.
Top 5 Outcomes of a School-Based Garden Club
- Education: School gardens can provide hands-on learning opportunities for students, introducing them to the natural environment, the process of growing and harvesting food, and the importance of sustainability.
- Community: School gardens can bring together students, teachers, parents, and members of the local community to collaborate on a project that benefits everyone.
- Health: School gardens can be an opportunity for students to learn about nutrition and healthy eating habits, and even have a direct impact on their physical health.
- Environmental Awareness: School gardens provide an opportunity for students to learn about their local environment and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability.
- Creativity: School gardens can be a great outlet for students to get creative, using their imagination to design, build, and maintain the garden.
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EXTRA GARDEN FUN CONTENT!
LSU AgCenter Home Gardening Class
The Home Gardening Class provided by LSU Ag Center is a 10 Week course. It is offered at no cost, but donations are appreciated. You can earn a gardening certificate at the completion of the course. Good luck and have fun! (CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED!)
Downloadable Louisiana Harvest of the Month Coloring Book (LSU AgCenter - Seeds to Success)
The LSU AgCenter Children's Garden
The Children’s Garden was designed for people of all ages to enjoy but specially designed for children. As you meander through the pathways you’ll come in contact with both butterfly and edible plants. As the season changes, so will the plants; the garden is ever-changing, so there’s always something new to see. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE WEBSITE!)
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