Children are an important asset in building stability in our future. We currently support several gardens at Topeka Public Schools: Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, Whitson Elementary and Williams Magnet School. We also support St. Matthews Catholic School, Berryton Elementary and Shawnee Heights Elementary, as well as the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Countryside Methodist Church Youth Group Garden.
We feel it is important to engage children in team-working activities where they can take ownership and responsibility for their garden plots. The rewards of their labor are realized almost immediately. Research shows that children who garden eat more fruits and vegetables than non-gardening children. They can take home food they themselves have grown to share with their families. They learn important gardening skills they can take with them into their future.