BINGHAM — Upper Kennebec Valley High School Principal Julie Richard, shepherded the cultivation of a plentiful community service project over this summer. The District recently added a community service requirement for graduation. In preparation for the requirement, an opportunity to plant, water, weed and enjoy a large vegetable garden, roughly a quarter of an acre, was provided to students. Along with Richard, three master gardeners from the community served to coach the students. Ten students were involved, three high schoolers and seven from the middle school.

The students worked on a weekly basis for two to three hours to tend to the garden. Students also toured area gardens of master gardeners including a vegetable garden, one flower garden, and a blueberry patch. Potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, green beans, squash, basil, corn and other veggies and herbs are part of a 330 pound harvest.

The District food service program has worked with the students to have the harvest as part of our menu offerings and salad bars. Middle School science teacher Joy West extended the learning opportunities with a trip to the Common Ground Fair as a culminating activity. Parents were also involved reinforcing gardening skills throughout the summer.


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