Lapel Elementary

Garden Club

The Lapel Elementary Garden Club was created to inspire and create a love for gardening in the hearts of students. Our goal is to establish a network of teachers, students, parents, and other community specialists to create an educational and fun environment where students can learn about where their food comes from. Students participate in all aspects of sustainable gardening from planning and planting to harvesting and eating. Our garden is a place where students learn about food choices, build a love of nature, have social experiences with their peers and teachers, and develop an awareness of local ecology and the environment.

Currently, we have 45 students actively involved in the garden club that meets once a month during the school year. We also have gardening sessions weekly during the summer. Students in grades 1-3 are welcome to participate in the club during the school year and all grades are welcome to help during the summer harvest time.

The club is funded primarily from donations from the public and grants. We were awarded a $500 grant from Annie's Grants for Gardens, a $200 donation from Charley's Fund, and a $200 grant from Madison County Master Gardeners. We have five raised beds where various vegetables and herbs are grown as well as a sunflower garden, pumpkin patch, and a large in-ground garden area. This spring we will be adding a sensory garden where teachers of the younger grades can brings their classes to the garden to talk about the five senses. The garden club is also responsible for planting and maintaining the four large planters at the front entrance to the school.

This club is a success because of the combined support of community members, school administration and staff, parents, and students.