2nd Place Organic Silver Award
Los Cerritos Elementary
Long Beach, CA

Los Cerritos Elementary School is located in the large, urban, 96,000 student, Long Beach Unified School District, in the most diverse city in the nation. Four years ago, a teacher (myself), had a vision to transform a sterile strip of grass into a vegetable/flower garden. In an area of approximately 60 by 80 feet, the garden includes 21 raised vegetable beds, decomposed granite pathways, 9 fruit trees (including 3 bananas), benches for an outdoor classroom, a composting area, a tool "barn," and a chicken coop housing 8 hens, a duck, and a rabbit. Our borders are planted with herbs and flowers designed with beneficial insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds in mind. Students have been able to observe worms, insects, lizards, frogs, butterflies, and birds naturally in our organic garden. Ours is not the typical "big city" experience and is unique in the size and scope of our "urban farmyard." Without the school garden, most of the 475 students at Los Cerritos School would never have the experience of eating a vegetable that they grew themselves or witnessing a hen laying an egg. There is nothing else like it in the Long Beach Unified School District!

Our program goals are to enhance environmental stewardship and students' awareness of the origins of their food by providing engaging and enriching experiences that go beyond regular classroom instruction, linked to all areas of the curriculum. Approximately 350 students, K-4, plant, harvest, and enjoy eating the fruits of their labor, while at the same time linking their experiences to lessons in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, nutrition, and character education. The garden fosters a sense of community and appreciation for others. Gardening engages children in relationships with learning, with nature and the environment, with community resources, and with adults, as well as with other students. By learning where food comes from, they are forming habits and attitudes that will provide them with a lifelong commitment to their personal health, as well as to the health of our planet. When children are a part of, and feel comfortable in an environment, they are more likely to feel the need to protect and care for it. Thus, through sound organic gardening practices, children are forming connections with, and becoming stewards of the land. Students are improving the structure and biological activity of the soil by practicing organic techniques of composting (using chicken manure and garden waste), vermicomposting, cover cropping, mulching, crop rotation, companion planting, and mixed plantings aimed at increasing diversity in the garden. Pest are dealt with by mechanical methods such as traps and barriers, hand picking, spraying with water and by planting host plants for beneficial insects. Children are learning firsthand the importance of resource conservation and will be better informed to make decisions regarding their food choices and to vote as citizens of their county.

As a Los Angeles County Master Gardener involved in its mission of helping low income county residents grow their own food, I have brought this philosophy to our school in hopes that all of our students will feel comfortable with the thought of growing food for themselves, as a hobby or out of necessity. Many students bring their enthusiasm for the garden home and families are inspired to grow their favorite vegetables and fruits for themselves. The garden is the perfect vehicle through which to explore and celebrate our multicultural community by sharing food that raises appreciation and respect for other cultures. For our at-risk students and English Language Learners, the garden is a place to be successful, as it is accessible to everyone, regardless of language or academic abilities. Sharing with others is emphasized as students "Plant a Row for the Hungry" and donate produce to a local food bank.

The Los Cerritos garden is maintained by teachers, students, and parent volunteers, many of whom continue to volunteer during summer months. During the school year, students are involved in all aspects of the garden, from helping to decide what to plant, to turning the soil, to weeding and observing for pests and of course, harvesting. Los Cerritos has become a model for the implementation of gardens throughout the third largest district in the state of California. It has been the stage for a "Garden Celebration" attended by local dignitaries as well as our entire school community and has been featured in several local and national publications. The Los Cerritos Urban Farmyard continues to expand through the efforts of teachers, students, a supportive administrator, parents, volunteers, and a PTA that budgets funds yearly for our garden program. With our current level of enthusiasm and commitment, and our belief in the power of the garden to enhance our students' lives in meaningful ways, we hope to see the Urban Farmyard continue indefinitely. The garden is truly making a difference!