Wishing you a restorative and joyful summer!
We distributed three Erin Soper Awards this year. Read below to find out what makes these awardees’ school gardens thrive.
Quotes from Erin Soper Awardees
Our garden thrives with all hands on deck- students, staff, and our “Garden Angels” Fred, Ilda, and Jon! We put in active efforts in planting seeds, nurturing our 4 chickens, and maintaining the annual producing trees and plants. We plant seeds that future students benefit and learn from.
~ Jennifer Strommen, Silverado Middle School
Our Willow garden is thriving—you can truly feel it come alive. Students are exploring, laughing, and feeling empowered in this vibrant space. Each week brings excitement, often starting with the question, “Is it a garden day today? Woohoo!” Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are busily at work, while plants continue to grow and produce. We’re even noticing new life sprouting from last year’s crops, a wonderful reminder of the garden’s ongoing cycle. The garden has become a place of inspiration, with new ideas blooming from students, staff, and parents alike. It is truly a joyful space to learn, connect, and experience together.
~ Lea Ortiz, Willow Magnet School
A school garden is more than just a plot of land…it is a vibrant outdoor classroom and a hub for community engagement. For a school garden to thrive, you will need school community support, a strong curriculum, and buy-in from teachers and staff. Getting all of these three areas to work together is, to me, the biggest challenge.
~ Deborah Blazer, Willow Magnet School
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