Project G.R.O.W.T.H. has been an ongoing service-learning project for the first grade students at Jo Mackey Academy of Leadership and Global Communication. Our learning experience began in September with a field trip to the Farm Festival. We studied the life cycle of plants and did extensive research on gardening. In April, we planted a fruit, vegetable, and flower garden in a 35' X 20' rectangular patch in our garden. We are growing cantaloupe, watermelon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, sunflowers, marigolds, radishes, greens, herbs, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, strawberries and carrots. In addition, there is an apple tree and a peach tree in our garden.

The best part of Project G.R.O.W.T.H. has been the school community connection that has formed. Many neighbors have been by to help us with planting, watering, and to talk with the children about gardening. There have been so many positive comments about our garden and it is quickly becoming a school-wide project. We look forward to our harvest and sharing our food with people in need. Project G.R.O.W.T.H. will continue into the next school year and be an ongoing learning experience for our students. Next year, we will be able to plant in the Fall and the Spring.

We appreciate the generous grant funding from Junior League, which enable our dream to become a reality for our students and community.

Deborah Cunningham
First Grade Teacher
Jo Mackey Magnet Elementary School