Woodbine Elementary School Award Grant for Edible Garden

WOODBINE – Woodbine Elementary School is proud to announce the grant award of $1,500 from AtlantiCare Healthy Schools to implement an edible school garden.  The construction of the Woodbine Elementary School edible school garden will positively impact youth and adults, school-wide and community-wide.  This project will begin Spring 2017.  As a result of our efforts, the WES students and staff with the Woodbine Green Team and community will have the opportunity to plant, harvest, and consume healthy and “home-grown” foods. In turn, we hope to instill sustainability in the community youth and adults.  We hope all persons associated with this project see the numerous health benefits, share what they learn, and start their own home gardens.  All edible garden crops will be consumed by the youth and adults associated with this garden project.  The students will get to harvest and consume their crops during the school day with their classmates. The efforts of this project will continue well into the future as the students gain essential hands-on learning experiences.  As the youth develop into adults of the community, they will be able to share these invaluable lessons and model self-sufficient healthy lifestyles. 
Implementing an edible garden at Woodbine Elementary School will boost our body and nutrition awareness curriculum.  Health classes are provided to Kindergarten to eighth grade.  Adding the edible garden will give the students a deeper connection to what they are learning and more meaning to how they relate to the Health lessons.  Knowledge and curriculum expansion and connection also occurs with Science.  All plant life cycles and visiting insect life cycles and pollination lessons across the grade levels are greatly improved.  Students can complete writing and reading activities while enjoying the garden as well.  This edible garden transforms lessons and connections as an outdoor classroom.
WES plans on becoming a National Wildlife Foundation Eco-school by installing a Native Plants garden through applying for a National Wildlife Foundation grant in 2018.  This type of garden becomes a butterfly ecosystem for the Monarch, Painted Lady, and Swallowtail butterflies.  Additionally, we would like to install a vertical garden.  This will allow us to grow climbing vine vegetables, strawberries, and other edible plants.  These two expansions are future goals to continue the anticipated progress and success of the edible garden.