Hello!
I am about to “break ground” on a garden for a small elementary public charter school in Cave Creek, and am looking for volunteers,materials donations, person and educational resources, etc. We have no funds, and are moving forward withfinancial and material donations, scavenging, and volunteers.
For the school, Foothills Academy Elementary Preparatory, my sister (on the staff and a parent of two students) and I (the aunt of twostudents, an alum of the sister middle & high school, board member, andotherwise friendly sort) are spearheading the effort, and have minimalgardening experience or knowledge. However,we are forging ahead with big plans, fueled by support from parents, the local library,and the internet. :)
So far, we have some of the ~250 seedlings (vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs) sprouting in trays, and a “blueprint” drawn for thedevelopment of the garden plot and the (unsophisticated ) rainwater capturesystem. This includes four 4’ x 8’ beds,using “square foot gardening” techniques (and an attempt at a biodynamic/lunar-basedapproach, with the help of a knowledgeable parent), and a large composttumbler.
Teachers and staff are energized, and have students (<100, ages 5-11) engaged in everything from, e.g. the 5th/6thgrade class researching rainwater harvesting practices across the world, todevelop a plan at the school, to writing poems and narratives about springgardening, and making large straw-people from random donated materials. Students will participate in and have responsibilitiesat every stage of the garden-building (including compost system) and maintenance. The intent is to foster “community” and “senseof place” and respect for the land and each other through the garden andrelated initiatives. This is the firstyear of Foothills Academy’s elementary school, and, like the school, thisproject promises a learning curve…. We’reexcited!
This note is to share our WISH LIST, including a call for the time and labor of VOLUNTEERS (to clear gravel, turn up soil, etc.).
Please consider this list and contact me, if there is anything you wish to donate (or allow us to borrow, even!).
Your generosity is very much appreciated!
Thank you sincerely,
Clea
cleasenneville@gmail.com
Items sought:
· Tools
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o Kid-appropriate gardening materials/tools
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o Shovels, trowels, hoe
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o Gloves
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o light weight wheelbarrow(s)
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o Garden hose(s)
· Bed border materials, e.g.:
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o Railroad ties
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o Cement/Cinder Blocks
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New"">o Wood: (6-2x4x8; 4-2x6x8; 8-2x6x8)
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Heirloom &/or organic seeds
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Deck screws
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Soil
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Piece for holding rain water (cistern, steeldrum, large culvert, etc.)
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Informational materials (books, videos, etc.)
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol">· Monetary donations or gift cards to, e.g. hardware store, landscaper, or nursery
http://www.foothillsacademy.com/2010/03/spring-gardening-has-begun/
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