Central Primary School garden expands with Ascension Fund Grant

Ascension Parish teacher Lana Shepherd has received funding to expand her classroom garden at Central Primary School, bridging a connection between farm and school.

The funding comes from Ascension Health and Nutrition Alliance through the Ascension Fund.

The purpose of this grant was to create an outdoor classroom environment for Shepherd’s class to study and grow life. They have expanded their garden to add more growing space, storage, a potting and seed starting area, and a table for outdoor lessons. Necessary garden tools, fertilizers, soil, and seeds were purchased for the fall and spring growing season. 

The students have used this garden to grow seasonal vegetables in both the fall and spring. They have studied the life cycle of plants from seed to fruit as well as used their mathematics skills in order to measure and calculate the amount of space each plant needs in their garden and how many seeds to start for each plant. They also use some of their vegetables and herbs during their cooking lessons in which they measure, prepare and eat their school-grown produce.

Shepherd’s class also plans to hold a schoolwide farmers market in May, where her students can explore the life, monetary, scientific, language and social skills that come with entrepreneurship.

Shepherd’s students have expressed a love for their garden as well as a love for the taste of their school-grown food.  

Funds for this grant were provided by Ascension Health and Nutrition Alliance through the Ascension Fund.  

The Ascension Fund is a non-profit organization established in 1991 by the Gonzales Rotary Club as an instrument for private sector leaders to invest directly in the work of individual teachers and schools through grants for innovative ideas and programs in Ascension Parish public schools.  

Teacher Grants of $500 or $1,000 and School Impact Grants of $2,500 are awarded on an annual competitive basis.  

To date, the Ascension Fund has awarded some 1,500 grants representing over $1.8 million dollars in the school system.