Tuesday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m.
McGary Middle School Courtyard
1535 S. Joyce Ave.
Background:Â Julie Mullen, family and community outreach coordinator at McGary, is receiving a grant from Keep Evansville Beautiful for seeds, plants, fertilizer, and gardening equipment such as shovels, gloves, rakes, and trash bags, to further the work of the gardens the students at McGary have created in their courtyard.
Students through their classes and morning gardening club have harvested, canned, and prepared several things with fruits and vegetables grown in the garden. Students have also used McGary’s Green House to start plants from seeds which now fill two beautiful flower gardens and pumpkin patches.  A butterfly garden area was also created by students.
The project helps students connect the dots to how science, math, and reading influence the concept of design and creation of their garden – as well as the long-term benefits to the community.
All of this stems from work begun through a National Education Association Priority School and Evansville Teachers Association initiative in 2011. Through their classes, students explored community issues and identified hunger and the lack of healthy food choices as a major concern – especially for low-income families, according to an article on the NEA website.   The idea for a community garden spouted following the students’ research and many classroom conversations. NEA’s Green Across America initiative donated $3,500 in start-up monies to help fund the community garden. Many community partners have come to the school to help with the project, as well.
