By Brian Emerson
UW-Madison

This spring students of all grade levels at Gompers Elementary School are growing. They are growing seeds, learning about plants and studying their local food system.

Volunteers from the UW Horticulture Society, UW Urban and Regional Food Systems Program, Olbrich Youth and Family Program and Emerson Urban Produce — with generous support from West Star Organics and the Gompers PTO — have been teaching students the process of growing food.

Students are learning the basics of gardening, like reading seed packets, components of soil, when to start different crops and how to care for young plants. Under the guidance of plant scientists, they will start over 5,000 seeds in the classroom — vegetable, fruit and herb crops to be planted in the school garden and sold as a fundraiser to support future garden-related activities.

“The goal of the project is to teach gardening practices to the youth of the Northside, to engage them in thinking about where their food comes from and show them what it means to be food secure,” said Northside resident and UW Horticulture Ph.D. student Mike Geiger. “Projects like this help enhance food security by involving students in growing foods at school and empowering students and their families to grow food at home.”

The students are engaged in activities that demand critical observation, patience and forethought. Fourth-grade teacher Christopher Olson noted, “Garden education in the classroom gives kids context and meaning to our lessons on healthy living, environmental science and supporting local farming. It has a calming impact on even the most anxious and traumatized young people.”

The community is invited to Family Gardening Night Friday, May 26, from 5:30‒7:30 pm, at Gompers Elementary School, 1502 Wyoming Way. Visitors will be able to taste local produce, pick up free seeds, purchase vegetable transplants, get community garden information and tour the student gardens. Plant experts will be on hand to answer gardening questions.