As we glean the final
fruits from the abundance of summer and plant cold-friendly crops to produce in
the winter months of our high desert climate, the excitement and involvement of
our kids continues to amplify. We’ve had an extremely busy few months
expanding, maintaining, and creating new gardens right here on campus! In
collaboration with Dragon Farms and the UNM Research Service Learning Program,
the garden program at Kirtland has expanded to include an enlarged after-school
garden plot and a new 3500 square foot plot dedicated to engaging our kids
around topics of food, agriculture, nutrition, and community
development. The
school climate has begun to shift towards a universal sense of ownership over
the gardens, in end creating a more sustainable program supported by staff,
teachers, students, and community members.
The youth have been involved in every aspect of the gardens
here at Kirtland; from preparing the new plot for a planting of Winter Rye to
seeding beds with a plethora of various greens, the kids have been a pivotal force
in this project. We set up a drip irrigation system, dug and made raised beds,
and fenced the expanded plot all with the assistance of South Valley Academy
students and other partners. The multi-generational learning environment was an
inspiring mentoring model worthy of replication. Youth grades K-5 helped us
plant Kale, Chard, Spinach, Lettuce, and Garlic in the newly prepared beds and
watched in awe as the young seedlings attempted to battle the early waves of
winter.
We enter this season with big plans and open minds!
Waiting anxiously for longer days and sunny skies,
-Kendal Chavez
Food Corps
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