OKEMOS, Mich. (WILX) -After literally planting the seeds in one classroom, upper elementary students in Okemos are now growing their own plants.
Thanks to extra funding, children at Okemos Public Montessori are exploring the hands-on benefits of gardening.
“I would love to start a garden at home. We used to have one but it didn’t work out because the deer kept eating our stuff,” said fourth grader Emma Jorgensen.
Luckily for Emma, her classroom has a garden inside, away from deer.
“Trying a lettuce from the store and trying one that we’ve grown, this is probably the best lettuce I’ve ever had,” Jorgensen said.
As students learn and observe plants growing, their life skills grow too.
“It helps kids learn about how growing your own food is better than eating processed food,” said fourth student Amayah Nowak.
“They picked off different spinach leaves, we were trying different lettuce leaves last year, now we’re growing tomatoes, green beans last year,” said teacher Christine Batora.
“But they’re able to pick off the food themselves. And then what they’re doing is hosting a snack for the classroom, a garden snack every week because we have so much.”
For these students, the Tower Garden is a gift that keeps on giving.
“We make pesto and salads, and it’s really great,” said Nowak.
The garden is helping students establish their roots in practical life skills and nourishing their minds and bodies
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