Gardens designed to grow array of students skills

The project being introduced this year in the curriculum in the Piqua City and Piqua Catholic schools involves “a unique concept designed to provide our students with a hands-on method of acquiring knowledge,” said R. Scott Miller, president of the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce.

Piqua resident Ruth Koon worked with the chamber on developing a program looking at the origin of food and healthy eating. The site across from the Piqua Central Intermediate School was the perfect location for gardens and for access by children who can walk to them, Koon said.

“This program is one of a kind for an urban school setting,” said Josh Kauffman, Piqua Central Intermediate School principal.

Offering helping hands with gardens that will be developed by each fifth-grade class will be about 15 Miami County master gardener volunteers.

“We are excited to train new, young gardeners within the Piqua schools and hope to build a passion for growing their own food. We hope to make them aware they can grow lots of food within a small space and have fun doing it,” said Amanda Bennett, county director, agriculture and natural resources for the Ohio State University Extension Office. OSU Extension is the home of the master gardeners program.

Others involved in the project have included the city of Piqua, Casto Landscaping and community volunteers.

The schools will use the outdoor learning area of raised gardens for lessons in various curriculum areas such as math, science, reading, writing, art and health. The gardens are being sponsored by local business and industry, Koon said.

“Once in awhile a project comes along that you know has that special magic that makes it stand out. The Garden Tribe is one of those projects,” said Dwayne Thompson, Piqua City Schools superintendent.

“We are grateful to the number of people that have stepped up to volunteer and provide for this project,” he said. “Through the generosity of others, the school district did not have to fund any of this project. Our students are fortunate to have a community that supports their learning and shares their time and resources to support projects such as this.”