STACYVILLE — Students at Katahdin Elementary School returned to regular classes this week. Many were pleasantly surprised to find that the school garden was overflowing again this year with vegetables.
FRESH VEGGIES — Ian Roberts, right, a student at Katahdin Elementary School in Stacyville, delivers tomatoes to Judy James, one of RSU 50’s kitchen staff members. Students grew the veggies throughout the summer.
“The garden/composting project is in its second year and is doing well,” said Ralph Vetter, who coordinates the garden project as part of the 21st Century after-school program. “This spring, we started some of our seedlings indoors, and while we enjoyed some warm sunny days, we planted the rest of the garden.”
Over the summer, students who attended the summer school program helped by watering and with weed control. They also picked a bundle of peas and green beans.
“Everyone’s hard work is paying off, and we now have a multitude of tomatoes that are now ready to pick,” said Vetter.
The produce will be added to the lunchtime salad bar so that all the students at KES can sample some of the fruits of their labor.
This fall, the group hopes to continue its composting program in which students are being taught how to compost food waste at KES.
“My hope is that kids will take what they learn here and encourage the parents and grandparents to start composting at home,” said Vetter. “Composting can reduce the amount of fossil fuel needed to haul trash to a landfill, thus saving energy and the planet as well.
“Everyone can do his or her part to help save the planet by reducing our dependence to fossil fuel. Everyone can make a difference, no matter how small.”
