PORT TOWNSEND — A grant that supports educational programs designed to develop children’s agrarian skills will expire at the end of the year, sending supporters scrambling for a way to continue its funding.
The Jefferson County School Garden and Compost Program created by the Jefferson County Department of Public Works and partially funded with a grant from the state Department of Ecology, will no longer be supported after Jan. 1.
It’s more than teaching kids how to use a hoe, its supporters say.
The program began in the spring of 2009 and now includes more than 500 participants, both students and staff.
This includes every student in Port Townsend’s Grant Street Elementary School and all Quilcene students up to the seventh grade.
“Science scores have doubled since the program started,” said program coordinator Candice Cosler.
“It is more than just learning how to grow things; we teach the cycle of nature.”
Specifically, Quilcene schools reported a sharp increase in WASL — Washington Assessment of Student Learning — scores, from 29 percent to 59 percent in one year.
The Quilcene schools superintendent, David Anderson, stops short of giving the program all the credit for the score increases, but said, “We think the kids are getting more science, picking it up out in the garden.”
Compost is part of the curriculum, with kids learning how to recycle the food waste generated by the school cafeteria.
Gardening provides a jumping-off point for the complete curriculum.
Kids grow potatoes, but along the way learn the history of the crop on the Olympic Peninsula.
“Science, math, language arts and history are all integrated in this program,” Cosler said.
Cosler said the advantages are long term.
With childhood obesity and diabetes at epidemic levels, teaching children at an early age about growing food and proper nutrition can help shape healthy eating habits for a lifetime, thereby reducing diet-related illnesses, she said.
For some it’s just fun.
“I really like to garden but my mom isn’t so good at it,” said Grant Street first-grader Mary Dray.
Mary said if she had two carrots, one which she grew and one store-bought, the one from her garden “tastes better because it is fresher.”
Her classmate, Elias Herman, was enthralled by the wheat grinding process driven by a bicycle.
“I would ride the bike, and the wheat would come out,” he said with awe.
The grain was then used to make pizza.
Cosler said the program needs about $20,000 to continue through the end of the school year.
While a more permanent funding source is being sought, a grass-roots funding effort is continuing.
Mt. Townsend Creamery, 338 Sherman St., has pledged all of its Wednesday proceeds from retail sales — excluding gift-box orders that require shipping — to support the program.
While other funding sources are being explored, supporters have set up a website to solicit contributions.
To contribute, go to http://jcfarm2school.org.
For more information about the program, phone 360-385-4313.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
