There’s that story, maybe true, maybe not, of asking a teenager where vegetables come from and the response being, “Well, the grocery store, of course.” It’s humorous, even if it’s just a bit of fun poked at the younger generation.
But at least some of the students at Pine Bluff High School will have a much better answer for such a question, having seen first hand where veggies arise.
The garden-to-table effort was led by a professor at UAPB, Karleah Harris, and a teacher at Pine Bluff High School, Cornelius Talley. The two took the students on a 360-degree journey of the whys and hows of things we should all eat more of.
“Thanks to this project, students now know how to plant, maintain and harvest a garden, as well as how to turn fresh home-grown produce into a delicious meal,” Harris said. “This innovative approach not only engaged them in educational activities and hands-on learning, but also deepened their understanding of preparing and cooking their own food, learning about nutrition and eating healthy.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The interaction reminds us of a group that came to light some years ago that was asking for some support from the city in creating gardens around town. We thought then and still believe that, what with all of the vacant property throughout many neighborhoods, the city could, without much effort, tee up small neighborhood gardens, giving residents a place to get some exercise and, at the end of the season, reap what they sowed. But we digress.
Reginald Wilson, district STEM coordinator, praised the UAPB folks for working with the school district.
“Dr. Harris has partnered with Pine Bluff High School on this project for the past three years,” he said. “She and her team of students have come to our campus and worked with our students in the dirt, trained them on how to plant vegetables and supported them as they were introduced to the art of gardening 101. … This partnership has been fantastic for the student learning process and also for melting the wall of the unknown about where food comes from.”
So well put. These youngsters, as they move through life, may or may not be in a position to have a garden. But they will never forget the experience of being a part of this project and of knowing that vegetables don’t just spring forth from the back of a truck as they are unloaded and placed onto supermarket shelves.
And if they are lucky enough to have a garden of their own some day, they not only will be able to put what they learned into use, but they also will have the satisfaction of knowing where and how what they are eating was grown. In all ways, it’s a life-long lesson.
Sometimes it definitely does take a village.