HFHK adds four new schools to the Fall 2022 season

This year's Fall 2022 growing season welcomed four new schools throughout the state: Milton, Lord Baltimore, Lewis Elementary Schools and IRSD’s Early Learning Center (ELC) . It was preceded by a flurry of activity to get ready.

Our first foray into school gardens for early learning children with IRSD

IRSD’s ELC is HFHK's first foray into early learning. Applying the lessons she learned at the April "Growing School Gardens" Conference , Program Manager Jen Cipolla worked with HFHK's Program Advisory Committee and staff at ELC to create this pilot directed at younger children. In August HFHK staff visited the ELC and built four new beds besides the ones already on the grounds.

In October, HFHK and volunteers built the garden at Lord Baltimore Elementary and three days later Program Coordinator Rachel Terracina was working with the teachers and students for their first garden lessons. The amazing Mr. Terry and his grounds crew built the shed so it was ready before we arrived. Well done!

Volunteers set up Milton Elementary’s school garden in time for planting

Over the summer we began work with Milton Elementary. In early September, HFHK, school staff, parent volunteers and students gathered to build their garden. Students and parents alike dove head first into the project, working together to assemble their new garden beds and fully embracing the task of filling them with compost. Some kids were even spotted coordinating the build from the top of the soil pile! In October, Milton students planted their first round of crops; a delicious mix of arugula, kale, radish, and turnip.

Lewis Dual Language School in Wilmington gets its first garden

Our last school of the season has been years in the making, ever since HFHK first presented to Lewis Dual Language School at an event in 2018. After multiple site visits, conversations with legislators, and requests to City Council for permission to use the grounds of Cool Spring Park next door, we were able to form a partnership with West Side Grows and Green for the Greater Good to use the community garden plots at the newly restored Rodney Reservoir Community Garden.

Lewis was gifted two garden plots and a dedicated water line was installed for the irrigation system. Students and staff were excited and engaged throughout their first planting experience. They say they can't wait to taste their garden fresh vegetables! Thank you to the Longwood Foundation for funding these gardens.