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Owl Creek Garden Project Grows
Click here to view the Owl Creek Garden Project Photo Slideshow
When FHS class of 2011 students Annika Tabassum and Ella Caraway noticed a rundown greenhouse behind Owl Creek School last fall, they immediately knew they wanted to make it their class project for service learning. With encouragement from service learning teacher, Connie Crisp, the two students contacted Owl Creek School and initiated what has quickly become an ongoing collaborative garden project.
A committee was created to oversee the growth and development of the garden project. The committee includes Owl Creek School teachers and administrators, the Wellness and Education Clinic at Owl Creek, the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club, Apple Seeds, Inc., Fayetteville Public Schools Child Nutrition Director, the high school Service Learning Coordinator, the two high school students, and the district Arkansas Energy Corps member.
The Owl Creek Garden Project received an $8,000 grant from Cargill this spring. Funds from Cargill will be used to purchase materials and supplies to reconstruct the greenhouse, install a rainwater harvesting system, develop an educational program, and create an outdoor environmental education area at Owl Creek that will provide opportunities for students, teachers, staff, and community members to grow and learn together.
“At Cargill we believe that our giving should help build sustainable communities where we live and work,” said Stephanie Burroughs, chair of Cargill Cares Council in Springdale. “The partnership with Owl Creek Schools and Apple Seeds, Inc., is VERY exciting for Cargill because it is an opportunity to bring our three areas of focus Nutrition/Health, Education, and the Environment together in one project! Our Cargill volunteers can’t wait to help plant and harvest with the kids!”
Activities in the garden this spring have included two rain barrel workshops sponsored by the Washington County Cooperative Extension Service; a once a week after school garden club in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club; classroom work and visits to the garden from all fifth grade science classes; and designing and planting two pollinator gardens. Chris Drake’s third grade class also worked regularly in the garden growing cabbages, tomatoes, and peppers.
Students enjoyed many different aspects of the garden this spring. Fourth grader Olivia Williamson participated in the afterschool club and said her favorite part was, “eating things we picked!”
FHS students in the EAST program were also recruited to design and electronically model a new greenhouse for Owl Creek. FHS rising senior Connor Stevens led the project and presented the proposed design including a full materials list with costs to the garden committee this spring. View a video of the proposed design here. The hoophouse will be constructed in Fall 2011 with help from FHS students and community members.
Students will continue to learn and grow in the garden this summer through a weekly garden club offered as part of the Boys and Girls Club Healthy Kids Club. Hosted by Beth Ashbaugh from Apple Seeds, Inc., and Dana Smith, FPS Energy Corps member, the club will teach students basic gardening skills while encouraging healthy eating habits.
Plans are also being made for another after school garden club in the fall as well as continued incorporation of the garden into classroom curriculum.
“The Owl Creek garden project creates unique, hands-on learning opportunities that combine nutrition and environmental education for our students,” said Kelly McKnight, the Wellness and Education Clinic's registered nurse. “We are so thankful for everyone’s support to make this project a reality.”
For more information about the Owl Creek Garden Project, please contact Dana Smith, FPS Energy Corps member at dana.smith@fayar.net