Hidden Valley Lake >> Lowe’s recently awarded a $4,550 Toolbox for Education Grant to the Coyote Valley Elementary School Garden. The grant was used for garden beds, and 12 untreated redwood garden beds were delivered on May 28.
“This story tells the best of community spirit and the hard work of school children, teachers, and parent volunteers. An arid, weedy, gopher infested field was transformed into a beautiful vegetable and flower garden that is an outdoor learning laboratory for eager students,” Elsie Mackesy, second grade teacher, stated.
Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club members planted a garden 20 years ago in the vacant lot on school property by hand-digging and hand-watering summer crops.
The permanent garden came into existence 19 years ago when a teacher Kathie Reeves and her husband designed a garden with redwood beds and drip irrigation using grant funds from the California Department of Education, according to Mackesy.
“New life poured into the garden when tools, weed barrier cloth and soil amendments were funded by the Coyote Valley PTO, Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club, California Women in Agriculture, attorney Angela Carter, Beringer Winery, and Wells Fargo Bank over the last four years,” Mackesy stated.
In February, the Whole Kids Foundation provided a $2,000 grant that was used to install new raised beds and fill them with top-quality organic soil.
“This was just in time for winter crops. We grew glorious crops of spinach, lettuce, kale, garlic, carrots, onions, cauliflower, red beets, broccoli, radishes, and peas,” Mackesy stated. “The school chefs browse the garden for fresh produce to serve in the school lunch salad bar.”
Farm to School Aide Lisa Rogers, the garden committee and the children are planning the summer planting of tomatoes, squash, corn, pumpkins, beans, cucumbers, watermelons and a variety of colorful flowers timed for the return of school in August. They plan to host a harvest celebration in September.
For information, contact Mackesy at (707) 490-6963.
