Comments on: Let it grow

By: Andy Williams

Andy Williams — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:25:34 +0000

Slow food could be the alternative to our fast food insanity that is killing our nation. Fun, wholesome and oh so good for you. Cheers, to Claiborne and bon appetite, Andy

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:11:30 +0000

Hi all…great piece. Our school, PS 107, was also featured in the Daily News article mentioned in this piece. Our school garden has been such an amazing project, opening the doors to many interesting environmental, science, nutritional, agricultural literacy projects. It has become a school centerpiece with much support…of course, I am driven to grow it (no pun intended) in ways that benefit children’s learning and nutritional habits. What is also fabulous is that the school/community gardening network in Metropolitan New York is vast and blossoming (woops, another pun), and I have met so many wonderful supporters, people, gardeners…I am looking, actually, to partner with other school gardens for shared learning experiences. Go school gardens and the people that make them happen. Michele, http://www.ps107.org/ediblegarden.htm

By: tara

tara — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:51:30 +0000

What an amazing experience for these kids. Programs like this are what define community and grass roots involvement. Parents feel like they can make a difference and the kids learn what it means to be apart of something and learn about the importance of healthy food and have fun at the same time. The best way to get kids excited to learn about something is to empower them with hands on experience.

By: madeley

madeley — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:38:40 +0000

So true that children who are exposed to planting or tending a vegetable garden are more likely to be more interested in the veggies on their plate. My daughter literally shakes if you wave a piece of broccoli in her face, but I noticed a change when her pre-k class in PS29 got involved in harvesting the radishes for the school sale. We of course bought several bunches to take home and to our surprise our daughter, with out any prodding from us, popped one in her mouth…mind you, she did not like it, but she was so proud to have contributed to our day’s meal that she felt compelled to give it a try. And since then, she has even tried broccoli–which she discovered she actually likes! I have noticed that the garden this year has also not been vandalized as much as it had been the Summer before…I think these gardens have helped our city kids appreciate and respect plants even more. They are not just pretty and ornate, they help nourish us and the environment. I am so glad you wrote about our little garden in PS29 and I hope this inspires other schools to do the same.

By: Lisa Trollbäck

Lisa Trollbäck — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:24:36 +0000

As co-president of the PS 29 PTA, I have enjoyed seeing how parents, kids, teachers, administrators, and community volunteers have joined together to make a corner of schoolyard blacktop into a thriving garden and outdoor classroom. My 5th grade son — formerly no particular fan of “green stuff” — says he “loves planting and eating the vegetables, especially when we get to eat our own pesto in the cafeteria.” We have had parents volunteer to build the beds and rainwater catchment system and to water and tend the garden. For a school system eagerly seeking ways to involve parents in their children’s education, school gardens offer wonderful and rewarding points of entry.

By: Alison

Alison — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:43:30 +0000

Thanks for posting this. As a parent invovled in the PS 29 garden, I’m grateful that there is enthusiastic involvement on the part of the principal, teachers, facilitities staff, parents and students to keep growing! It’s been an excellent part of my children’s exposure to science, art, poetry and eating! What if the city mandated that a garden grow in every public school! It’s an efficient way to get kids eating healthier, concerned about the environment, and inspired to write, draw, study science and learn!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:23:45 +0000

Now I know what Wednesday’s dinner project will be. We’ll harvest the basil and get cracking on the pesto. Thanks for the inspiration!

By: Erin Patterson

Erin Patterson — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:21:21 +0000

So inspiring! Thanks for writing this. Now I have a great resource to send to our science teacher at PS58.