Fund a piece of the project.
We need help transforming the large area in front of Hamilton and SOTA I school into an edible schoolyard.
We need tree, shrub and pollinator patch donors.
Tree- $250
Shurb- $100
Pollinator Patch- $50
Then, let us know if you want to help plant your sponsored items in the fall.
An edible schoolyard is a space that is created intentionally to provide a hands-on learning environment incorporating native edible plants. This space mimics a forest edge.
Picture fruiting trees, edible shrubs, pollinator plants, soil-enriching plants, an asparagus area, raspberry patch, willow arch, educational signs, and seating area. Plants are typically perennials which differs from annual vegetable planting. Although each provide healthy, local food, perennial plants offer some unique benefits like creating space for pollinators, requiring less maintenance, and offering a different variety of food. Currently, the space contains grass and a few trees that are planned to come down due to the emerald ash borer and age.
Students will experience growing, harvesting, preparing, and sharing food while gaining knowledge of food and its systems, improving students' food choices, and connecting students to the land, the environment, and their community. GROW will lead lessons for students and staff to help familiarize them with this space. GROW will guide and encourage school staff to use this space for lessons or as a calming space as much as they see fit.
The students of Hamilton Early Learning Center and School of Technology and Arts will benefit from this edible schoolyard as it will provide an educational platform for hands-on learning regarding fresh, local food and nature. Other schools will be able to check out this pilot program to see if it is something they would like at their school.
The Powell-Poage-Hamilton Neighborhood will benefit as well. A meta-analysis of 143 studies found that green space in neighborhoods helps enhance human health, including reduced risk of type II diabetes, heart disease, and preterm birth (Twohig-Bennett, 2018). The neighborhood will also be encouraged to get involved through harvesting and volunteering. The community was invited to our public input planning session and gave feedback on the design.