Help me give my students the supplies to erect a raised school garden bed and the tools to grow fresh vegetables to be given to our food challenged student population.
I have the privilege of teaching gifted and talented students at one of the best elementary schools in the south east. Our school backs up to a river system such that when playing on the playground, students get to look out onto the water as ships pass by. My primary focus is on 3rd through 5th grade students who work on advanced math and STEM activities with me. The kids are such eager learners and outwit this old bird on a regular basis.
Part of our curriculum includes community service so we are focusing this year on building a large, raised garden bed and establishing a school garden program where we can give fresh produce to our food challenged students.
I have been trained in the local school garden program and am ready to work with students on growing edible crops in seasonal rotations. The kids will be responsible for planting, germinating, cultivating, and harvesting crops based on a calendar that addresses optimal crops for our climate.
My Project
The materials listed in the project will help us erect a 16'x 8' jumbo raised garden bed. We will follow the lasagna method to create a fertile and productive bed with layers of mushroom compost, hay, slow release fertilizer, and topsoil. The students will follow the Clemson raised garden bed calendar for planting and growing edibles in the low country.
As students plant, cultivate, and harvest each crop, they will learn the benefits of organic farming and will be more inclined to consume these fresh vegetables by growing them themselves.
Throughout the year the kids will plant beans, beets, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce varieties, spinach, kale, collards, English peas, radishes, and sweet potatoes. We'll have fresh salads for lunch along with learning how to make kale and collard chips. Much of our produce will be donated to our food pantry for families needing edibles over the weekends and holidays.
The possibilities are endless with one of our main goals being "Get Dirty!" The therapeutic properties of working outdoors and in the earth are profound; with kids glued to screens half of their days, encouraging nature and production within it are vital, lifelong lessons.
Arrow 5' x 4' Brentwood Steel Outdoor Storage Shed with Sloped Metal Roof
• Amazon Business
$229.23
1
$229.23
Toysmith Big Kids Garden Tool Set
• Amazon Business
$29.99
2
$59.98
Grandpa's Best Orchard Grass Bale, 10 Lbs
• Amazon Business
$25.64
2
$51.28
GrowGreen All New 2019 Garden Hose 75 Feet Improved Expandable Hose with All Brass Connectors, 8 Pattern Spray and High Pressure, Expanding Garden Hose
• Amazon Business
$49.99
1
$49.99
Vgo 10Pairs Nitrile Coating Gardening and Work Gloves (Size S,Grey,NT2110)
• Amazon Business
$15.98
3
$47.94
gonicc Professional Micro-Tip Pruning Snip (GPPS-1008), Small Garden Hand Pruner & Shears for Arranging Flowers, Trimming Plants & Hydroponic Herbs, and Harvesting Fruits & Vegetables.
• Amazon Business
$10.95
4
$43.80
The AMES Companies, Inc KPWB10 1.25Cf Kids Wheelbarrow, 1.25-Cubic Foot (Colors May Vary)
• Amazon Business
$41.99
1
$41.99
Lilly Miller All Purpose Planting And Growing Food 10-10-10 16lb
• Amazon Business
$31.01
1
$31.01
The Ames Companies, Inc 2812200 True Temper 4-Tine Forged Spading Fork
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
Bonide (BND024) - Neem Oil Concentrate, Insect Pesticide for Organic Gardening (16 oz.)
• Amazon Business
$20.37
1
$20.37
Materials cost
$600.58
Vendor shipping charges
$59.94
Sales tax
$42.34
3rd party payment processing fee
$9.01
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$741.87
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$130.92
Total project goal
$872.79
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$872.79
10 Donors
-$763.38
Donations toward project cost
-$690.87
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$72.51
match offer
-$60.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$51.00
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Platt and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
