The WHS Organic Garden

April 23, 2009 Jim Hunter

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WHS Curriculum
The organic garden will add depth and opportunity to our science curriculum. It will directly impact all 9th grade biology students as well as environmental science courses. It will directly impact a course in any subject that would like a short term project in the garden ex. Math, Art, Culinary etc. Special Education year round.

An Outdoor Classroom

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Aesthetics
The organic garden will immediately improve the aesthetics of the south end of the high school. It will provide a meaningful context to the greenhouse. It will be highly visible to Board of Ed., parents, community, and all students and staff.

Current Views of Area

Cross-Curriculum
The organic garden provides opportunity for high school students to work with students from the other schools. The organic garden provides opportunity for departments within the school to develop curriculum together. Ex. Art, Culinary and World Language Festival. There are going to be opportunities for cross-disciplinary curriculum between the garden and Math, Business, Culinary Arts, etc. There are going to be lots of chances for students participate independent studies.

Community
The organic garden will provide opportunities to connect with community resources. Millstone Farm Norwalk Fodor Farm Local culinary experts and businesses Adult Education, Garden Clubs Ambler Farm, Nature Centers, Weir Farm and on and on.

Community Continued
Millstone Farm A local farm that will help us with the process as well as teaching the techniques. Shelters/Food Pantry We will donate to these local programs that will then get the food to less fortunate people. Fodor Farm We will assist this local community garden in South Norwalk by providing some plants to them from our greenhouse.

A productive collaboration

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The Plan for the Future

Issues
Building Renovation Will put garden on hold but will go through when done. Less active parent / community involvement. Has been worked on and none are needed.

Summer Time

Permits

Distribution of Food
Chartwells Is in the process of looking at using a large percentage of the food in the Cafeteria. Shelters/Food Pantry Some of the food produced will be donated to these programs to help those less fortunate. Local Families Those who help out in the summer will get some of the food that they help to produce.

Liability
Liability The local board of health has said that we are OK in what we want to do and it is not a problem and not a liability as long as the program follows standard practices. Insurance School insurance protects anything that is curriculum driven or part of school curriculum the garden will be part of that. Students will be taught by local organic farmers and will follow strict rules regarding the harvesting and washing of all produce. Students will also follow strict guidelines about organic practices.

Financial Responsibility
During the pilot year there is not going to be any financial responsibility from the town. There will be a projected need for a club advisor stipend. Future needs Donations, fundraisers, and other student driven activities will secure the needed funds.

Why do this?
This will be one of the first programs like this in lower Fairfield County We will be unique and on the cutting edge. Allow us to teach other schools and be a role model for other districts. Allow us to work in conjunction with other districts. Promote Sustainability. Allow students to benefit from healthy food and allow them to educate others.

This could be the future!

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