Carolyn Duval, a senior at Westfield State University, works with students on the grid construction.
WESTFIELD-A $250 Farm to School grant is expanding the importance of nutrition this spring to students in Claire Adam’s third grade class at Munger Hill Elementary School.
The grant, awarded by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, was secured by David Dion, an instructor in the Horticulture Technology Program at Westfield Technical Academy. Dion has been visiting Adams’ class for several weeks on Thursday afternoons on his own time, discussing seed planting, sun exposure, shade, water sources and the importance of good soil to cultivate a healthy crop.
The focus of the grant program is to address the importance of nutrition to child health as well as to learn what is being done at the federal level and in Massachusetts to improve school food, connect food service programs with local growers and producers, and help students learn about nutrition and healthy eating habits.
David Dion explains the first step of building the raised garden.
On the afternoon of April 14, Dion drove up to the north side of the school and children lined up to help him unload all of the materials that would be needed to construct raised garden beds that will shelter the seedlings students will plant once they return from their school break. Materials ranged from boards, screws and pipe to pipe connectors, carriage bolts with washers and nuts and garden netting. Tools that were unloaded included a power screw driver with safety glasses, tape measure, combination wrench, flat head screw driver, rubber mallet, shovels and a level.
“This is the day we have been waiting for all these weeks,” said Adams to her enthusiastic group of students.
Student’s eyes lit up as soon as Dion corralled the group of students together to get their attention and to keep them focused on the project at hand.
“This looks like fun,” said Kirsten, while Angel exclaimed “this is awesome.”
Once all of the materials were neatly placed in groups of three sections, students followed simple instructions to construct their garden bed. Dion demonstrated how each instruction needed to be followed, and then led by Adams and Carolyn Duval, a student teacher who is graduating from Westfield State University this spring, within an hour the three garden beds had been pieced together with a smile of accomplishment from all of the participants.
“This project is important because it incorporates the math and science skills we have learned in class,” said Adams.
Duval worked side by side with the students, piecing together the grid work that was placed inside the constructed garden bed.
Claire Adams hands out materials to students before construction of the raised garden beds begins.
“I’m so impressed with how everyone is working together,” said Duval.
Dion echoed those sentiments.
“Students are eager to learn and their enthusiasm shows today,” said Dion.
Students line up to help unload the materials that David Dion brought to make the raised garden beds.
Vegetables to be planted will include lettuce, beets, spinach, winter squash and beans.
On April 29, students will take a bus trip to Westfield Technical Academy to see Dion and his students in action in the Horticulture Technology Program. Areas on the tour will include landscape design, arboriculture, turf grass management, greenhouse operations (plant production and hydroponic vegetable production), and floriculture. Students will also visit the orchard on campus which teaches basic fruit production skills.
“This project introduces students to the environment, let’s them get their hands dirty, and encourages them to eat healthy,” said Dion. “Everything we harvest before the end of the school year will be for these students to take home.”
