AC Students Learn to Plant Vegetables

On Tuesday, May 28, Arvada-Clearmont elementary students joined with Rooted in Wyoming to transplant vegetable plants that they had started from seed at a planting workshop on April 17. The workshop took place at the Joe and Arlene Watt Regional Agriculture Center Greenhouse on the Sheridan College campus.

Ian Cannon-Wallace, Program and Outreach Coordinator at Rooted in Wyoming, talked at the workshop about the benefits of fresh produce. The students experienced hands-on learning on how to plant seeds.

On May 28, the project continued at a garden space donated by Bob and Carol LeResche, outside of Clearmont. Eight students and several school staff members came to plant the various vegetables that were recommended by the A/C Head Cook, Aubrey Holland. There were squash, beans, tomatoes, onions and cucumber, among others. Potatoes and corn were also planted.

Holland had this to say about the program.

Cannon-Wallace brought the plants down from the greenhouse in Sheridan and was there to oversee the project. He said that over the course of April, Rooted in Wyoming started about 2750 plants with students throughout the area. He said there are various school gardens where the plants are currently being set out.

When asked if some of these vegetables will be used in the lunch programs, Cannon-Wallace said,

Abbie Mueller, who was recently hired by SCSD#3 as the new Vo Ag teacher and FFA administrator, was at the event with her daughter.

SCSD#3 Superintendent Chase Christensen added about the planting.

May 16 was the last day of school at A/C schools and Christensen said that the school year went very well, and he added that the staff is working hard on some of the great things the school plans to do next year.

One of the projects in the works is the construction of a poly carbonate greenhouse at the school. They also plan to add a Horticulture Science course to the district’s science course offerings.