Lutie school promotes learning through school garden and sustainable farm tour

Sustainable farm tour

                              

 By: Jessi Dreckman jessi@ozarkcountytimes.com
One might imagine children sitting at desks solving problems from textbooks during a math lesson, and many times that would be an accurate scenario at Lutie School. But lately, the students also have been found outside with their hands in the dirt, crouched around a cinder block garden border holding rulers up to green sprouts and carefully copying the measurements into their notebooks.
“The zinnias have grown a lot since the last time we measured them. The last time we measured them was (Sept.) the 24th, and on the 24th mine was 2 inches,” Seth Johnson, a fourth grader, said when the Times recently visited the school’s new garden. “It’s grown 3 inches since then.”
The newly developed raised-bed gardens at Lutie School were established last year using  a financial contribution from an anonymous donor, superintendent Scot Young told the Times. Seven raised beds were built from cinder blocks last April after the donation was received, but the beds were too wet to plant after the unseasonably wet spring and summer seasons. This fall, however, the beds are ready, and several teachers have adopted one and are utilizing them in their curriculum.
“The students are studying in science what things plants need - they need space, light, nutrition,” said fourth-grade teacher Christi West. “We’re also integrating math into it. Every time we come out, we see how much they’ve grown since the last time. We hadn’t covered adding and subtracting fractions until we started measuring the sprouts, so it’s been a new venture in learning.”
Young says the school is planning to expand the number of beds after White River Valley Electric Cooperative moves an electric pole that currently occupies a corner of the space. A pergola is also planned for later this year, and the school is currently accepting bids from local artists interested in painting sections of the three concrete block walls that surround the garden area. Interested artists are encouraged to call Young at 417-273-4274 or email syoung@lutieschool.com.
“I think it’s an important thing to have at a school,” Young said. “Food is essential to all of us, and it’s important that our children understand where it comes from.”
Students, families and community members are welcome to stop by Lutie School to see the gardens from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, during parent/teacher conferences. Amelia LaMair will be handing out free garden seeds and snacks made from local produce.