Finally Spring

Photos and entries by Dana Schultheis

The weather is finally suitable and consistent enough for outdoor planting. We've been strictly working outside for a while now. We built, in full, our raised beds made from the wood we ordered with out grant money. Turns out we needed more room than we thought so we also continued using the recycled light fixtures as beds and planting flats. 

Unfortunately, at some point, a lot of our plants were sprayed with pesticides. We aren't sure who did it or who gave the orders for it to be done, but it's not about that. All we could do was salvage every plant we possibly could and move on. The only thing we lost almost all of was melon. 

Our lettuce has been growing non-stop though! And each week we have been taking it down to the culinary room and cafeteria so that they can implement organic growing and farm-to-table eating into what they do! Students all over Oakcrest have discovered new eating options that harbor benefits they never even knew about. 

Unfortuntely, just as it gets warmer, the school year ends tomorrow. We accomplished nearly every goal we set for ourselves and even some additional ones. We brightened the Oak atmosphere with natural gardens and a reconstructed greenhouse that can be used for years to come. We inspired students to get involved in Oakcrest and even provided those already involved new opportunities. We promoted and helped implement healthy, organic eating and growing. All in all, we did a lot. We'll be back occasionally during the summer to keep the plants healthy. Good luck to the students who will be in this class for ears to come. We hope you make a difference, too.