Schools
Viewfinder: Pharr Elementary's Community Garden
Pharr Elementary's garden is an effort to teach students about conservation and the science of growing things. With an ultimate goal of donating harvested fruits and vegetables to the Southeast Food Co-Op, the endeavor is pretty groovy all around.
Principal Jerry Raymond is very enthusiastic about the joint venture between and the school's PTA -- the community garden.
"We want to teach kids to grow things, " he said. "And textbooks just aren't enough."
The school's garden consists of raised beds of flowers and vegetables watered by a 650-gallon container of rainwater collected from the school's roof.
Find out what's happening in Snellvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Two good rains, and this thing is full to capacity," Raymond said.
The water runs through pipes to a solar powered pump that waters the plants through an irrigation system. The pump also drives the hoses and wands the students use to nourish their garden with rainwater.
Find out what's happening in Snellvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to Raymond, the space was formerly occupied by old concrete picnic tables when a landscaper suggested using the space for a garden. Then the idea took off.
"This is just the start," Raymond said.
The school has more space earmarked for raised beds, and the ultimate goal is to have the students tend the garden entirely by themselves and to donate the fresh produce to the .
