The theme of our garden at Briargrove Elementary is the BG Edible Schoolyard.  It is modeled on the movement initiated by chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse fame in northern California.  The purpose of our garden is to get kids digging in the dirt and understand the connection between the earth and not only what we eat, but life.

Interested parents took the six hour in-depth course offered by Urban Harvest, "How to Plan, Design, & Build A School/Community Garden."  As a result, Briargrove Elementary is registered as an affiliate member with Urban Harvest and they participated as advisors in our planning process.  

Our garden project will roll out in two phases.  The first phase was funded by a $3000 grant by Aramark and benefits the K-2 classes.  In mid-November parent volunteers built the 8" raised beds on a Saturday morning.  In the weeks after, the K-2 classes rotated through the garden planting seeds, herbs,  and transplants such as broccoli, cauliflower, watermelon radishes, cabbages and so on.  

In the spring, we plan to expand to a greater scale for the benefit of the 3-5 grades as well as the science lab.  Frost Bank has generously donated $500 in seed money toward the installation of phase two.

This K-2 garden project is on the northesast side of the school visible from San Felipe.  We welcome the entire community to peek through the fence and see what's taking root at Brargrove Elementary.

Garden contacts:  Ellecia Knolle elle@theknolles.com and Mariana Cypher marianacypher@yahoo.com