Health & Fitness
Rosemont's 'Urban Farm' Unites School
This is a blog about recognizing Rosemont's small–but big in many other ways–projects. It recognizes the teachers who support and nurtured it and the students who were there along the way.
has had a successful rooftop garden for the past three years. Last school year, Mr. Hutch (masonry teacher), Chef Scott (culinary teacher) and some fellow students all thought if they can build a rooftop one, why not build a land one also?
Chef Scott and Mr. Hutch have this idea of creating an "Urban Farm," which is much closer to being possible with this great new extension of our school. Admin, who are very supportive, has approved a land garden on the side of Rosemont High School.
Not only have they been supportive, but the PTSA have been helpful in providing for this new creation. This garden has 15 plant boxes, all irrigated by tanks from the bottom of the boxes. Many vegetables and fruits are being grown such as strawberries, baby watermelons, tomatoes, onions, herbs, lettuce, peppers, eggplant and much more.
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Both teachers and students have been involved since the beginning of this school year to help build this great new garden. Mr. Hutch has some of his classes put in time working on the garden, as well as Chef Scott's classes. The students were involved in digging up 300 feet of irrigation lines. They learned how to cut lines; they also helped plant and create soil.
Here are some perspectives from a couple of students:
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"Working on the garden is pretty fun. I've learned a lot, really. I like how our school cares about the environment and stuff." - Matthew Ratliff, culinary student.
Junior Eric Iglesias, a former culinary student, commented on how he was there for the idea of this production and how he also puts in his own time to help out the garden. This great new garden has already provided so much for this school. It donates to the culinary class, so they're able to have ingredients. Other classes can always use from it too–for example chemistry can use the soil for experiments or English classes can write about the subject. It also helps out summer sessions, like fruit stands to help earn money for the school.
Most importantly, it unites this school in a fresh new way.