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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Union Mine High School, El Dorado, California, USA

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Union Mine High School, El Dorado, California, USA
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vegan6



Registered: November 2008
City/Town/Province: Placerville
Posts: 1
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I live in a small, spread-out, rural town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. Most people live here because they enjoy the serenity of the landscape and the peace of wide-open spaces. Although we appreciate our seclusion it means our community is not conducive to pedestrians: food sources and houses are most often over a mile apart. After our county Health Advisor explained this transportation issue to me, I decided that I wanted to bring the food to the people in the form of a community, organic garden.
I wrote and a received $2500 grant to start an organic garden at my high school. After receiving the grant, my family, friends and other community members came to together for three days, during spring break, and we built six raised beds, dug seventeen post-holes and set the posts, set up a fence and gate, and hauled dirt. At the end of each day our bodies ached but our faces beamed with pride.
Later on, I consulted a Master Gardener, who advised me on planting techniques and donated earthworms. After the last frost we had a planting party after school. We cared for the garden and watched it flourish; corn supported the spiraling beans, marigolds emerged with vivacity, hidden zucchinis reached two feet in length, gourd vines crept up the fence, and tomatoes transplanted themselves. We harvested our bounty and shared it with teachers and students. We have torn down the garden, preparing it for a winter crop and greenhouse. Future plans include setting up a school-wide composting system (we have already begun building the compost), planting fruit trees and writing another grant for a Peace Garden.
The healthiest and happiest environment and community comes from people working together with nature. The garden fostered community support and involvement and, if implemented on a larger scale, would decrease our harm on the environment. I wanted to show students that being outside and growing food for oneself is an enjoyable undertaking. I also wanted to put my dreams of living a self-sustaining life into action.
· Date: November 13, 2008 · Views: 6637 · File size: 17.4kb, 143.6kb · : 1000 x 1500 ·
Hours Volunteered: 300
Volunteers: 30
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 12 to 55
Area Restored for Native Wildlife (hectares): 0.0125
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