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Mabelvale Garden Update »Mabelvale Garden Update This past week, Karl Heinbockel and fellow Delta Garden Study interns have had the opportunity to escape the fluorescent lights of the office and work in the bright sunshine at the Mabelvale Magnet Middle School gardens and greenhouse. In spite of the oppressive heat, there is still much to do to prepare for the coming school year at Mabelvale Magnet Middle School. We are removing the residue from last year's crops (and weeds!) and replacing them with a buckwheat cover crop to revitalize the soil. The buckwheat cover crop suppresses weed growth and once tilled in will add important organic material back into the soil. This allows new plants the ample nutrients necessary to blossom with great vigor. Healthy soil has been our focus this summer. In the fall, we will concentrate our efforts at producing a variety of food crops with the help of our students at Mabelvale! In the coming weeks, we will be continuing to clean up and organize the garden and greenhouse spaces so that this school year will be a great one for Delta Garden Study's showcase garden - Mabelvale!

FrontPage Article »See the Progress on our New Gardens! Don't forget to visit our Garden Schools’ webpages for pictures and stories about the progress of our new gardens. Liana, Kevin, Ryan and Cale have been busy developing their sites, planting a late summer garden, and getting to know their communities. Many thanks to all of their community members who have donated materials, equipment and labor!

About The Delta Garden Study »About The Delta Garden Study The Delta Garden Study is a $2 million research study funded by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service designed to prevent childhood obesity and social risk behaviors, and improve academic achievement, in middle school children in the Delta and Central regions of Arkansas.

Zach Biggers

I have learned lots of stuff from Ms. Jill and Mr. Ryan. I have learned so much that I am actually helping in my Grandpaw’s garden! I love working in the garden. I like it because you get real dirty. Next year, I would like for us to get to eat lots of new salads like we do now, but I would like them every garden day instead of just one day a week! I love to pick weeds and plant vegetables, plus I really like the food.

Katie Branyan

I very much enjoy this year, because I love to be outside and spend time outdoors, especially in the garden. I love gardening, because we have lots of fun! I also like going out, because it is awesome to learn new things about plants, soils, and different foods. Being out in the garden is a spectacular time for me; it also helps bring up my grade in science class, because it helps me catch on a lot better! These are many of the reasons that I love and enjoy gardening in the Harrisburg Garden.

Sam Mink

This year in the garden I have learned to plant, harvest and water things. Next year I will be in high school, so I do not know if I will be able to be in the garden as much. I hope I will get to be in the garden lots though. I would like to continue to learn new things about gardening. This has been an exciting experience for me this year!

Emilee McIntare

What I love about the garden is getting to help Ms. Jill prepare the salads for other classes and getting to be outside doing work that some people may not enjoy. Being in the garden is a great experience to have and enjoy with other students! Some of the things that I have learned in the garden are how to prepare healthy meals and how to take care of and harvest plants. The garden teaches us kids a lot about hard work and healthy choices. I hope to see more kids enjoy it as much as I do!

Lucas Wiggins

The Harrisburg School Garden is the best way to try new foods, learn about plants, and especially to have fun! Ms. Jill and Mr. Ryan are the best garden teachers to find stuff. They are kind, nice, and helpful! My favorite things to do in the garden are to play mingle-mingle [a physical activity game in the garden] and to play with the chickens! My hobbies are playing video games, and I have many favorite books!

Jessica Webb

Since we have gotten the grant for the garden, I have enjoyed it very much. My favorite part about the garden is that we get to try new things and harvest the crops. Mr. Ryan and Ms. Jill have taught me lots about the garden, even how to harvest different vegetables! Another thing that I love is when Ms. Jill cooks. So far I have enjoyed everything she has made. One thing that I am really excited to see in the garden is the strawberries! Mr. Ryan and Ms. Jill are very nice; I am glad that we have them as our garden specialists. I am excited to see what the garden will have in the future!