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Benefiting the Children, Benefiting the Planet
By
Carol L. Spence
 SPRINGFIELD, Ky., (April 25, 2007) – There is an old adage that
says to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. On the grounds
of St. Catharine’s College, a community garden is cultivating a
brighter tomorrow for both Washington County children and the
planet.
The Community Youth Gardening Project brings elementary and high
school students together to plant and tend an organic garden at
the Dominican Earth Center in Springfield. Collaboration between
local community groups, including University of Kentucky
Cooperative Extension Service, Washington County Board of
Education, Washington County Community Education, the Earth
Center at the Motherhouse of the Dominicans of St. Catharine,
Washington County Health Department and Washington County
Industries, is helping to enrich young lives and, in the
process, teach sustainable methods for a healthier planet.
“I’m hoping that they’ll learn about gardening and getting out
in the air, and maybe go home and plant a garden,” said Dennis
Morgeson, extension horticulture agent in Washington County. “We
wanted them to learn some nutrition, learn about insects and
bees. They learned a lesson on freezes this year: Just because
you plant it, doesn’t mean it’s going to live. They’ve learned
some math, because it’s a square-foot garden…. But mainly just
to get out and do a little exercise and learn how to garden.”
On a bright Tuesday afternoon, groups of young people scattered
in all directions to complete the many tasks their garden
demanded of them. Some plunged their hands and arms into dark,
rich compost, mixing it with great enthusiasm. Others planted
broccoli, cabbage and potatoes in raised beds. Another group
grabbed fistfuls of weeds and cleared a small plot of earth that
sat on a rise on St. Catharine’s rolling central Kentucky
farmland.
 The Dominican Earth Center at St. Catharine’s was created 10
years ago to be a public resource for earth education materials.
It supports environmental education projects, such as the
Community Youth Gardening Project, and hosts a film series. With
a lending library of books
and periodicals about environmental issues, as well as a
certified organic garden and earth-friendly cabins, the staff at
the center hopes to preserve the planet by educating its people.
“It’s here because many people in our community believe that the
earth is in trouble right now, and it takes all human beings to
make a difference,” said Sister Rose Marie Cummins, director of
the center.
“Basic sustainability in general is one of our key missions we’d
like to educate people on, and get people interested in as much
as possible,” said Daniel Barber who is the environmental
education program coordinator at the center. “So a lot of our
programs tend to lean towards that idea – people learning to
garden, people learning more about the environment.”
Beyond the obvious lessons in weeding and watering, the children
are reaping the benefits of community gardening, such as
teamwork, a sense of pride and accomplishment, a sense of
community, interest in trying new foods and developing healthier
diets, and learning sound ecological practices.
“Most of us as human beings like to be close to the land,” said
Jill Settles, community education director for Washington County
schools. “It gives them an opportunity to get out of the four
walls of the school and learn in a real life environment. I
think they have really done well working together. They’ve
handled a lot of teamwork and they seem to get along. They help
one another. And I think it gives them a real life situation to
learn in.”
The students are enrolled in special education classes at
Washington County High School and Washington County Elementary.
As a group, they range greatly in age and in abilities. Some
students exhibit behavioral disabilities, while others are
physically or mentally disabled. In the garden, those
differences and challenges melt away. Teenagers help
fourth-graders. Physically disabled kids wield trowels with
enthusiasm, and emotional problems dissipate in the fresh air.
 “They are so excited about what they’re doing, so in tune with
what we’re telling them to do, that there’s been no behavior
problems whatsoever,” Settles said.
A health educator at the Washington County Health Department,
Debra Galloway explained that one of the priorities of health
departments all over the state is to fight obesity through
increased physical activity and healthy eating.
“This whole project has fit that perfectly,” she said. “The kids
have learned about nutrition, they’ve learned about different
kinds of vegetables…. Also, just by coming out and working out
here, they’re getting more physical activity and being outdoors,
which is healthy.”
High school junior Johnathan Wright isn’t thinking about the
health benefits when he works in the garden. He likes the
practical side of it.
“When the summertime comes, you can plant all your seeds and
everything,” he said. “And in wintertime you have your
vegetables and you won’t have to worry about going to the
grocery store and buying a whole bunch of stuff to cook and
stuff. You just have it in the garden. So that’s what I like
about gardening.”
When school lets out for the summer, the garden will not be
neglected. That’s when Washington County Industries steps in.
The organization is a training program for adults with mental
disabilities. Dion Merriman, vocation services coordinator, said
the organization’s goal is to bring a little joy to their lives
by helping them to become adults who are able to contribute and
have a sense of self-fulfillment. The adults had a taste of what
to expect this summer when they tended the garden during the
students’ spring break.
“The biggest thing, and a lot of them kept talking about it, is
they knew they were helping these kids because the kids weren’t
able to be here that week,” Merriman said. “I think the biggest
thing was that they were out here doing something meaningful,
helping somebody and I think that’s what they enjoyed the most.”
Whether growing or already grown, gardeners in the Community
Youth Gardening Project are having a great time. Morgeson said
he has seen a difference in many of the young people.
“Some of them, when it first started, they wouldn’t hardly even
speak to you, but now they give you a hug when they leave,” he
said.
Daniel Barber has noticed it too.
“The energy the kids bring out here is just really great,” he
said. “We’ve had a lot of fun with them so far and we look
forward to having fun with them in the future, too.
The health department’s Debra Galloway sees a bright future for
this type of project.
“We’ve heard that there are other teachers who are interested in
doing this,” she said. “Whether we can bring everybody out here,
who knows. But there is also the potential to have gardens at
school, which is a way to have some great hands-on learning. We
hope that it is going to continue and grow.” |
Contact: Dennis Morgeson, 859-336-7741
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