Avery Elementary School Wins Golden Shovel Award

CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee Farm To School Committee has awarded its first Golden Shovel award to Avery Elementary School for its Project Learning Garden, a hands-on initiative using various lessons to teach students about the origins of food.

Karen Garland, who runs the K-5 Science Discovery Lab at Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy, and Shirley Pahl of the Cherokee County Farm Bureau presented the award on behalf of the Farm To School Committee during a surprise visit held on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

The pair surprised Project Learning Garden creator and second-grade teacher Lori Hohl in the media center with her class. Garland said the garden has promoted collaboration between grade levels when it comes to planning and implementing state academic standards.

"Teachers are developing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) styles learning environments for students," she added. "Older and younger grade levels are working together to incorporate across curriculum standards using the garden as a hands-on learning tool. They also include the nutrition staff by having them prepare and serve produce grown in their garden as a vegetable choice. Lastly, their garden is about building relationships with their community."

School Board Chair Kyla Cromer and School Board member Patsy Jordan attended the surprise announcement, along with Deputy Superintendent Trey Olson, School Nutrition Director Tina Farmer and School Nutrition Coordinator Amanda Fleming.

The award included a mounted plaque (complete with golden shovel), a new garden shovel for the school and a raised garden bed donated by the Georgia Farm Bureau. Second- and third-place winners, Little River and Indian Knoll elementary schools, respectively, will also receive raised garden beds from the Farm Bureau.

Photo 1: Lori Hohl explains the raised beds in the garden and what grows in each. They recently harvested sweet potatoes, and here, a squash plant spills over the edges of the raised garden bed.

Photo 2: Karen Garland, left, surprises Lori Hohl in the media center of Avery ES with the news that Avery ES won the Cherokee Farm to School committee's first "Golden Shovel" award. School Board member Patsy Jordan prepares to present a new garden shovel, while School Board Chair Kyla Cromer and Deputy Superintendent Trey Olson applaud.

Photo 3: Hohl gets a hug from Karen Garland after receiving the trophy recognizing her hard work on Avery ES's Project Learning Garden.

Photo 4: Hohl leads guests on a tour of the Avery ES garden.

Photo 5: Hohl proudly holds the Golden Shovel award presented to Avery ES for her garden project.

Photo 6: Hohl poses for a photo with her class, along with administrators, staff and volunteers.

Photo 7: From left, School Nutrition Coordinator Amanda Fleming; Shirley Pahl with Georgia Farm Bureau; School Board Member Patsy Jordan; Avery ES Principal Lisa Turner; Deputy Superintendent Trey Olson; teacher Lori Hohl; Avery ES Assistant Principal Michelle Whitmire; School Board Chair Kyla Cromer; PTA Co-President Janna Miller-Sanders; and Avery ES Assistant Principal Matt Harper.

Photo 8: Shirley Pahl presents Hohl with a kit to build a raised garden bed as part of the award.

Photo 9: The award included a mounted plaque, complete with golden shovel.

Photo credits: Cherokee County School District