LMK Environmental Club Donates and Learns

The following story was contributed by the Harrison Central School District, to see how to post your own news on Patch, .

Through hard work and care, the students of LMK’s Environmental Club produced from their garden 40 peppers that they were able to donate to the Harrison Food Pantry.

In the process, they have learned biology, ecology, technology, communication and teamwork. The club was started about three years ago when a small group of students approached teachers Julia Long and Caitlin Pastor and expressed interest. The club meets regularly on Tuesday mornings before school.

In the beginning, the club focused on recycling issues and being eco-friendly, but became more involved in helping to shape the new courtyard at LMK. Over the years, the club has grown to include nearly 50 members, a new vegetable garden, and a blog where students can record their findings, pose questions and formulate care schedules for those in the group. This summer and fall, the LMK garden, under the constant supervision of the club’s members, produced radishes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli and different types of peppers.

“It was amazing to grow this fresh produce and have the kids taste it,” said Long. “One student marveled at how different a fresh green pepper tastes. He said, ‘It doesn’t taste like the sausage and peppers I have at home.’ We were thrilled to learn that we could donate fresh items to the pantry.”

Both Long and Pastor are excited with the prospect of the garden as a teaching tool. The sixth grade classes regularly spend time in the garden learning about the plant growing process and often the Environmental Club students will help in the teaching.

By watching the growing process in real time, it is generating many questions and has a true hands-on application.

“It’s a great way to get kids outside and using the space,” said Pastor.

Click here to keep up with these students on their blog.