As you might be able to imagine from these purple Crocuses pushing through the green-brown grass of a nearby lawn, spring is now a real idea in the minds of New Yorkers.
40-degree walks through the neighborhood seem like a dream compared to the the month of February, where the average temperature was 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the spirit of spring, I've begun to ramp up efforts at my school district to extend the joys and lessons of growing things and recycling things to the students at my school.
Garden Club met for a second time just last week and the turn-out grew. Hovering around 35 members, Garden Club managed to start some window gardens.
40-degree walks through the neighborhood seem like a dream compared to the the month of February, where the average temperature was 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the spirit of spring, I've begun to ramp up efforts at my school district to extend the joys and lessons of growing things and recycling things to the students at my school.
Garden Club met for a second time just last week and the turn-out grew. Hovering around 35 members, Garden Club managed to start some window gardens.
Students from the ages of 10-12 were exceedingly excited to learn about how to grow potato plants from a "chitting" spud (when the eyes of the potato begin to sprout) . The idea that all vegetables, spices, and fruits have corresponding plants with unique characteristics is relatively new at this age and also slightly worrying. It reminds me a bit of Brave New World, where nature is taught from a young age as something alien, removed, wild, and dangerous. I am the shepherd, thorugh whom students begin to see the natural world as something relate-able, informative, and familiar... and I'm happier for it.
Compost
I began thinking about compost a while back and how alien an idea it was for many people I knew at my work. Compost? Like in a country backyard? What about it?! Won't that bring terrible animals? Won't it smell? Ewww! (basic visceral responses).
Well, turns out that composting is one of the easiest ways to cut your waste in half. Plus, many people pay top dollar for good compost. Especially if you cook at home, you can reduce your trips to the curb, make your garbage smell better, do something good for the environment, and help your gardens all at the same time. All it involves is hovering your lazy hand over one bin for food scraps and another bin for landfill-destined garbage.
I really got motivated and went to other facilities, where students were composting without an issue or complaint. I took pictures. I took notes. I imagined a better future.
Compost
I began thinking about compost a while back and how alien an idea it was for many people I knew at my work. Compost? Like in a country backyard? What about it?! Won't that bring terrible animals? Won't it smell? Ewww! (basic visceral responses).
Well, turns out that composting is one of the easiest ways to cut your waste in half. Plus, many people pay top dollar for good compost. Especially if you cook at home, you can reduce your trips to the curb, make your garbage smell better, do something good for the environment, and help your gardens all at the same time. All it involves is hovering your lazy hand over one bin for food scraps and another bin for landfill-destined garbage.
I really got motivated and went to other facilities, where students were composting without an issue or complaint. I took pictures. I took notes. I imagined a better future.
I sat down with my superiors. I made my case. Being a realist, I made some concessions. I took a smaller role for composting in the hopes of growing the idea over time. An idea that would hopefully grow along side education funding.
A "small scale" compromise was struck and now my work has a program. I am the protagonist of the whole idea. So, I'll be constructing some compost tumblers, educating the Consumer Science , formerly "Home and Careers" peeps and students to put their food scraps to work in two brand-new school gardens via the compost tumblers.
I was encouraged by the positive reception to my ideas and look forward to seeing action in the weeks to come. I'll keep y'all updated.
A "small scale" compromise was struck and now my work has a program. I am the protagonist of the whole idea. So, I'll be constructing some compost tumblers, educating the Consumer Science , formerly "Home and Careers" peeps and students to put their food scraps to work in two brand-new school gardens via the compost tumblers.
I was encouraged by the positive reception to my ideas and look forward to seeing action in the weeks to come. I'll keep y'all updated.