Young Writers Project

Vermont roots

By Jessie Crossett

Grade 9, Stowe High School

My school does have a garden. Growing up in Stowe on a farm, I was immersed in farming. But we did not own the farm. I lived in a trailer and we rented the land we lived on, and we were not allowed to have a garden.

Living in a nicer and fully owned house now, I honestly don’t know how to do a garden. But, with my school’s garden, I am able to understand the key things in order to start one of my own.

My school, Stowe High, is combined with Stowe Middle, and so we share a garden. It is not only a garden, but a vital teaching tool that is used every day in the spring and summer.

It really helps the middle-schoolers in particular because each one in the 6th grade has a special job for the garden. It really teaches them a little bit of responsibility because a garden doesn’t just grow itself, it needs to be cared for.

There is also a green team where students in 7th and 8th grades can take on more responsibility, and get in touch with what Vermont is founded upon, its farming and beautiful land.

I love our school garden, and it has really taught me a lot, and not just about how to grow a garden. I plan on starting my own this spring, and I am very eager for it, and I have to attribute my motivation to my school garden!

(Read the complete story at youngwritersproject.org/node/91481.)

Should schools have gardens?

By Arron Molleur

Grade 6, Hardwick Elementary School

Imagine sitting in class, bored, tired and the teacher is making too many copies in another room.

There is nothing to look at except the kids playing on the playground; they are having fun, and you are doing almost nothing. You wish that you had a garden to look at while waiting for things.

I believe that all schools should have gardens. It can help kids learn about food and how it grows.

It helps the kids learn by having hands-on experiences.

It also provides free food for lunches, making eating fun and healthy.

Lastly, a school garden would make the school look more presentable, making parents feel comfortable and they would like to have their child go to school there…

Consider having a garden at your school, or even your house! It might make kids active, get them away from screens and it will help them learn better, making it so they can have the career they want.