Students are Planting Seeds of Change

November 16, 2022

The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) received a Community Impact grant from the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia in Martinsville for the Planting Seeds of Change for Youth project.  Through this grant, DRBA partnered with Albert Harris Elementary of Martinsville City Public Schools to install two raised beds in a paved urban area of the school campus.  The vacant area was underutilized, but created a unique space near the STEM classroom for students to grow vegetables in raised beds and keep a close eye on them on their way to the classroom. 

Two raised beds were installed this summer and ready for the students to begin the new school year.  Kindergarten, first, second and third grade students planted carrots and radishes in one raised bed and spinach and kale in the other for the fall months.  Before the students planted, they discussed plant parts and how to care for the seeds while they patiently awaited for the plants to grow. 

“Over 250 students directly participated in the project”, says Krista Hodges, Education Manager of the Dan River Basin Association.  “The students were excited to see the tiny seeds turn into a new plant, but they were even more excited to harvest the vegetables and taste-test them in the classroom after all of their hard work.”

The goal of the Planting Seeds of Change for Youth project is to empower young students by providing them with the knowledge of growing and caring for vegetables at such a young age.  With food insecurities growing all around the world, there is no better time to learn how to be self-sufficient. 

“The students felt a sense of responsibility growing and caring for plants they had planted,” says Ms. Laurie Witt, STEM Teacher at Albert Harris Elementary.  “The Planting Seeds program provided real life skills to students that is invaluable.”

The students can take the knowledge they learned about growing, caring for and preparing vegetables in the classroom home to share with their family.  With all of the urban gardening options these days, anyone can grow something, even in the city.

The raised beds will remain at Albert Harris for years to come and impact hundreds more students. 

To learn more about DRBA’s environmental education programs, visit https://www.danriver.org/programs/environmental-education/for-educators.