District garden is back, producing food and flowers

Jennifer Hengen thought it was time to bring back a garden to the district and local communities. The district has collaborated with the North East Community Center to make this happen.

“It was part of our school culture and I want to see that back again,” said the principal of Eugene Brooks Intermediate School.

“I saw what it could be. Before COVID, it was such a flourishing, working garden. The vegetables and fruits, they were able to pick and use in student and staff lunches. When we had our summer programs, the students would come across the street and harvest things. They would make smoothies with the strawberries and mint. They would make salsa with the tomatoes.”

Hengen is working with school  librarian Leah Sprague, technology/shop teacher Aaron Howard, EBIS and high school students, the district facilities team and the NECC to bring back the garden.

“They’ve been fantastic,” Hengen said of the NECC. “They found a local farm that started those plants from seeds and donated them to the school. They also coordinated with McEnroe farm to get us the organic soil.

“The goal is to see what we can produce from it. It can be part of the NECC food bank, used in the cafeteria, and used to supplement different activities in the classroom.”

Sprague’s makerspace students have been assisting, and Howard’s students are repairing the boxes that have deteriorated over the years. The garden includes various fruits and vegetables as well as flowers.

“In the future, maybe we can have students grow things from seeds and let them see the whole process,” said Sprague.

Riley VanTassel was watering the plants outside the library before they were added to the garden.

“I love plants and nature because they can create beautiful things,” said the fourth grader.

Brodie Howard is one of the high school students helping with this project.

“It’s quite easy and I like to see people happy when they get the food,” said the freshman. “I just want to help the community.”