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Truman Summer Gardening Program sprouts in its first year

Truman Summer Gardening Program sprouts in its first year
Truman summer gardening program group photo

The Truman Summer School Program’s gardening class is celebrating its inaugural summer season. The class provides a new opportunity for scholars to get outside and learn more about horticulture, agriculture, and the journey food takes before it is served at a table or sold in a grocery store.

Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) School Gardening Coordinator Danielle Harrington is the program's coordinator, and expressed her excitement saying, “the students have the opportunity to be in nature and learn important skills. They have the chance to actually grow and then harvest that food and see it come to its fruition being served in our lunchrooms.”

Students enrolled in the program participate in every step of the food production process. At the Truman garden, located on nearly half an acre next to Truman Academy, they have planted, tended, and harvested crops including leafy greens, potatoes, herbs, and berries. They then packaged the produce for transport to the FWPS central kitchen.

Truman summer gardening program group photo
Truman summer gardening program group photo

The following day, the class took a trip to the central kitchen, where students learned about the cleaning and food preparation process. They observed and participated in inspecting the quality of the produce, and undergoing a final cleaning before it’s stored, served, or incorporated into meals. As part of the program, every student earned a food handler’s permit by successfully passing the required exam prior to visiting the central kitchen and participating in food handling activities.

FWPS scholar Kekoa shared thoughts about the program, saying, “I’ve learned a lot about maintaining a garden. The weeding, the maintenance, transporting—I feel like the process has been good.”

Truman garden program students at nutrition services main kitchen
Truman garden program students at nutrition services main kitchen

The course is connected to the FWPS Garden to Table program, which operates year-round throughout the district. The program helps scholars gain a broader understanding of how food is produced while creating opportunities such as the Truman gardening class. Along the way, student involvement also counts towards the service hours that are required for every high school student in FWPS. In addition to the students, two FWPS interns help maintain the Truman garden during the summer months.

This program is an example of how FWPS delivers creative educational opportunities and empowering students so they can discover new ways to engage in their learning and get excited.

“I think what really strikes me is seeing students being outside, because it creates a sense of peace,” said Danielle. I notice a sense of calmness and general happiness with our scholars when they get that opportunity to be outside and that hands-on opportunity to learn skills.”

Truman garden program students at nutrition services main kitchen

 

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