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The Whitehall High School environmental science class got the chance to get down and dirty with the environment behind the Whitehall United Methodist Church last week.
The students took part in a service project for the Whitehall Community Garden by planting the vegetables that will be used by the Whitehall Ecumenical Food Pantry.
“I like the fact that we get to do this and I think that this is a good idea,” said environmental science teacher Mark Goodrich. “They learn about biology and have a chance to help out with the community garden.”
“They are doing a lot of service here and they are also paying it forward,” said Marie Monty, a member of Organizing Rural Community Assets (ORCA), who helped develop the plan for the garden.
Goodrich said along with the chance to get outside and help a community organization, the lessons the students learned in preparing and planting a garden will help them in their own backyards someday.
“This is a life skill,” he said. “Now, they will know what to do and be able to have their own gardens someday.”
“They are getting a great lesson here,” said Monty.
Students planted seeds for carrots and cucumbers along with preparing areas and planting tomato trees. The garden received seeds as a donation from Skenesborough Gardens and plants from George Armstrong and Mary Ward.
Monty said there will be other groups that will be helping to maintain the garden throughout the summer.
“One of the Girl Scout troops will be spending a significant amount of time on the garden for their project,” said Monty. “Anyone else who wants to volunteer is certainly more than welcome to join us.”
“We are very excited to be doing this,” said the Rev. Ginny Deyo, UMC pastor. “It’s great to have the garden here and to be working with Marie and ORCA.”
For more information on the community garden or to volunteer, contact Monty at 499-2563.
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