Wilson Elementary School is constructing a new greenhouse thanks to a state-funded Innovative School Model grant.
Librarian Anita Phillips said whether it is non-fiction books about plants or raised garden beds, she tries to find ways to connect kids to horticulture.
“They learn a lot of trade, they learn how to finance, they learn how we put, how we eat our groceries, how it costs to grow this, to harvest it,” Phillips said. “There’s just a lot of kids that like the nonfiction. They want to know how to do things. It’s a hands on, it’s a learning and we study different things.”
Phillips said the gardening program will help students become more sustainable and mindful of what they eat. Phillips also said the class can open up avenues for further agricultural education.
“We’re losing land rapidly and I think we need to know how to sustain our country ourselves, feed our people,” Phillips said. “And I think these kids, there’s a lot of job opportunities as they grow. Maybe this will be an interest they can get into through our farm bureau or insurance.”
Phillips said it is important parents and guardians encourage their children to play, learn and explore outdoors. Parents can help out by donating monetarily to support the green house or volunteering their time to the program.
“Anything that you can get your kids their mind stimulated to do, then they’re going to research more,” Phillips said. “They want to know do you have books about certain topics, certain vegetables, fruits, horticulture, just anything of that kids will want that will transfer us back to the library where we can do research and they can learn these new skills.”
Phillips and the school are still fundraising to improve the greenhouse and extend the growing season into the winter months.