Feeding Minds, the Soil,
and the Hungry
When students at the Farnsworth Middle School set out to
start a garden, they examined the origins of our food and
the agricultural system that produces it. "The students were
concerned about the negative aspects of chemical-dependent
agriculture, but determined to build a garden large enough
to feed hundreds of people," says garden coordinator Mark
Warford. The upshot? A 3/4-acre garden that features organic
methods for "feeding" the soil, managing insect pests, and
controlling weeds.
Rotating Veggies
The school's eight 45'x45' plots generally host different
families of plants. For instance, one area contains members
of the nightshade family: tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Every year, the crops rotate into new plots, so each plant
family or group occupies a certain section only once every
three to four years. With this system, disease and pest problems
associated with certain plants are less likely to get a foothold
since things are always on the move.
"We base our decisions about how to organize the rotation
and what to mix in each plot on several factors," explains
Mark. For instance, crops that require a lot of nitrogen,
such as corn or pumpkins, are typically followed by those
that are considered "light feeders", like peas or onions.
The gardeners also try to stagger root crops and leafy vegetables
because their nutrient needs vary. Plants with small seeds
that can be easily overtaken by weeds, such as carrots, follow
larger crops, such as potatoes, that form a canopy and keep
down weed growth.
Other Earth-friendly Techniques
Mark's students have discovered a host of other environmentally
friendly approaches to maintaining a thriving garden. For
instance, they plant cover crops such as clover or rye grass
to cover bare soil. These "green manures" protect precious
soil from erosion and, when turned back into the soil, add
nutrient-rich organic matter. "Compost is one of the oldest
and best soil additives, so we use a lot of it," says Mark.
But his students haven't just relied on the tried and true.
They've also had success with newer approaches, such as covering
seedlings with lightweight fabric row covers. These let sun
and rain in, but keep insects out. "We also stress conserving
water and using renewable energy resources," explains Mark.
To that end, they've set up a low-pressure drip irrigation
system and used recycled plastic lumber to build raised beds,
since it doesn't degrade or release harmful chemicals.
Spreading the Word
"Each day during the summer, students set up display boards
explaining how organic agriculture meets plant needs without
environmental and health risks," says Mark. As they conduct
tours for community members, students challenge visitors to
look at how the choices they make every day, such as the food
they buy and energy they use, affect the environment. At the
school's student-run farmer's market, visitors sample and
purchase fresh organic vegetables. The income adds to the
garden project's coffers, but it reflects just a fraction
of the harvest. Students achieve their goal of feeding hundreds
by donating the other 2,500 pounds of food harvested each
year to soup kitchens and food pantries.
Author: Eve Pranis
© 2008
National Gardening Association