Cobb Mountain Elementary School 4th graders recently took home the “Best in Show” ribbon for the Youth category at the Santa Rosa Iris Society Show. The 4th grade students from Mr. Weiss and Mrs. Ferguson’s classes have been completing an iris project through the American Iris Society’s CIP (Classroom Iris Project) program.
Members of the Santa Rosa Iris Society (Region 14) mentored Cobb School students in their 3rd year of partnership. They paid for the students’ membership dues, provided iris rhizomes to plant at the school and have come to the school to do direct instruction. The students all know the name of their iris variety and have been nurturing and waiting patiently to see the blooms. They have created and submitted iris artwork and essays and completed classroom lessons. All are receiving certificates.
The Cobb School Garden Project is a grassroots, volunteer driven program that is funded completely by donations. The project funds a paid Garden Aide who brings all students at the school to garden class every week to plant, tend, harvest, cook and eat the garden produce. In addition, they provide fresh garden produce to the school lunch program. The school garden is certified organic by the California Dept. of Agriculture and has had many collaborations with other farmers and local organizations such as the Mendocino Grain Project, The National Heirloom Expo, Master Gardeners, Junior Master Gardeners, Lake County SNAP-ed, East Lake Resource Conservation District, Friends of Boggs and others.
For information or to make a donation to the Cobb Elementary School Garden Project, contact Cindy Leonard at cobbschoolgarden@yahoo.com
