Somerville Farm to School Project

Waiting in the Tot Lot at the Kennedy School for my daughters at the end of the school day, I often looked at the two raised beds that sat empty at the back behind the play structures.  I imagined them overflowing with plants and shook my head at the missed opportunity for a garden.  But then the classroom doors opened and kids start spilling out and before I knew it, I was off with my girls to the grocery store, Porter Square Books or just home to make dinner.  Who has time to start and tend a school garden with young kids to take care of?  Answer: No one person does.  But nine families working together can.  And that is what happened!!   Before Last spring, Dr. Foley told me about Karyn Novakowski, the new Farm to School Project Director for Somerville Public Schools.  Karyn had great ideas (and a little bit of money) to put those raised beds to use.  Over April vacation, we met at the Tot Lot and weeded and planted seeds.  ...

Garden Facts Size: 128 square feet (3 beds in the upper tot lot, 2 beds in the lower tot lot) Best thing about the garden: It's visible from the street and tot lots Plants: vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, chard, lettuce, zucchini, squash, cucumbers), herbs (basil, cilantro, dill, thyme, parsley), flowers (zinnias, nasturtiums) Maintenance: Karyn Novakowski, Farm to School Project Director and Lauren Mancini, SPS FNS Director How is the garden used: outdoor classroom for students from the Winter Hill School, "E" inc afterschool program, lunch time open garden hours The Winter Hill School Garden has had a very busy spring and summer. The school's principal, Chad Mazza, is enthusiastic about the newly planted school garden and believes it "engages all the senses" while "increasing student knowledge of agriculture, seasonality and eating whole foods through hands-on experiences." A planting party early in the spring, kicked off ...