In collaboration between the Edible Classroom initiative and students from the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (CTC), Lafayette Elementary School is blossoming with newfound opportunities for its students. The project, aimed at reviving the school’s garden program, is not only nurturing green spaces but also cultivating valuable life skills and fostering a sense of community among participants.
Evan Lemmas, a senior carpentry major at CTC, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its significance in providing inner-city children with hands-on experiences. “It’s nice to give these students an opportunity to see both ends of what we do and how it can impact even a small community like this,” he shared, highlighting the educational value of practical skills alongside academic knowledge.
Joining Evan is Joey Platt, also a senior in carpentry, who echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the joy of witnessing children engage with power tools and safety procedures while building flower beds. “It’s honestly really cool to hear them and watch them use the power tools, all the procedures on the power tools, all the safety information,” Joey remarked, underlining the importance of empowering young learners through experiential education.
The impact of this initiative extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by the heartfelt sentiments of Anaya Tahara, an elementary student at Lafayette. “I liked it because I got to learn something new,” she shared, reflecting on her newfound knowledge of building and gardening. Anaya’s enthusiasm for planting and harvesting vegetables mirrors the broader goals of the Edible Classroom program, which seeks to promote healthy eating and environmental stewardship among students.
Beth Horst, co-founder of Edible Classroom, shed light on the broader scope of the school program, emphasizing its focus on healthy eating and environmental stewardship. “We educate the students during the school day with garden education, which is all standard-based,” Beth explained. “Engaging kids in the process makes them more likely to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and enjoy being outside, benefiting their mental health.”
The partnership between Edible Classroom and Lafayette Elementary has flourished over the years, with plans for exciting ventures in the coming spring with plans for further expansion and engagement in the community. “We’re focusing on Pennsylvania agriculture,” Beth shared. “From planting potatoes and carrots to inoculating logs with shiitake mushrooms, we’re creating an immersive learning experience that extends beyond the classroom.” Moreover, plans for a summer camp promise to extend the benefits of the initiative beyond the academic year, enriching the lives of even more students.
To learn more about the Edible Classroom, click here. To learn more about Lancaster County CTC, click here.