Brick's Herbertsville School Wins Sustainable Jersey Grant

BRICK, NJ — Herbertsville Elementary School has been named the recipient of a grant from Sustainable Jersey for Schools that will benefit the school's garden.

The $2,000 grant for the Herbertsville Garden of Hope will pay for supplies for the garden, such as seeds, soil and greenhouse materials, according to a news release from Sustainable Jersey.

The Garden of Hope was established last year by fifth-graders at Herbertsville Elementary School, with the assistance of parents and staff, and grows fruits and vegetables that are donated to local food banks.

With the grant, "Students will continue to plant fruits and vegetables in the garden," the release said, "and students and teachers will grow herbs and various vegetables in classroom greenhouses prior to the spring to prepare them for placement in the outdoor garden."

“This grant will help our school maintain their school garden," Herbertsville Principal Bonnie Giles said. "All students will participate in the school wide initiative to maintain and grow the school garden. Thank you, for this wonderful opportunity!”

It was one of 50 grants announced Friday by Sustainable Jersey for Schools. Ten $10,000 grants were awarded, and another 40 grants of $2,000 were distributed, officials said, to fund a variety of projects including physical activity and wellness programs, an aeroponic greenhouse, school vegetable and rain gardens, food waste composting, mobile environmental carts, student green team capacity building, the greening of school festivals, bicycle racks, a creation station, an outdoor classroom, energy efficiency programs, enhanced recycling efforts and more.

Herbertsville School was the only Ocean County school to receive $2,000. Lakewood Middle School received a $10,000 grant to build a compost area and garden at its school, the only $10,000 grant in Ocean County.

The grants are funded by the New Jersey Education Association. The grants announced Friday bring the total contribution by the NJEA to the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program to $500,000, the news release said.

“NJEA is proud to continue to work with Sustainable Jersey on this important program that directs resources into our schools,” said NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Sean Spiller. “It is our job to help create a new generation of engaged citizens and leaders. By emphasizing the value of sustainability, we also help ensure that we leave a better world for our students.” In addition to the grant funding, NJEA supports Sustainable Jersey for Schools as a program underwriter.

“Sustainable Jersey grantees help advance our continued goal to create a more sustainable New Jersey and world,” said Donna Drewes, co-director of Sustainable Jersey. “We look forward to the innovative projects and work that these schools and school districts will accomplish and we will share the tools, models and activities with other schools across the state.”

Two other Brick Township schools have received recognition from the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program in recent months. Brick Memorial received a small grant for a fitness program, and Lake Riviera Middle School achieved bronze certification.

Patch file photo