Greed
B o t a n i c a l Te m p l a t e s

Paving the Road for
Community Engagement in a
Garden Based Learning Program

Christina Schmitt
MSUS Project

Martin Luther King Early

Childhood Center

• 100% of the students receive free or
reduced lunch
• Situated in the middle of two food
deserts
• Impacted by urban blight and lack of
adequate shade landscape

Approach

Environment
School
Creating a functioning socio-ecological
relationship.

Social
Parent/Teacher Association
Community Organizations

Economic
The Farm at South Mountain
and Local Businesses

Determine what the community vision and
participation interests are for the garden space,
increasing a Sense of Place

Provide opportunities to support and volunteer in
the garden program and developing economic
opportunities within the space.

Fall

Students using containers to garden
facilitated by ASU interns every
other week.

Spring

Students were given a square foot garden to
replicate the weekly lessons at home.

Vision

`

Vision Building

1

2

Build capacity in classroom learning

Invite parents and community into the process

• Children gardening

• Informed and given a voice in the process

• Lesson plan alignment

• Vision workshops to uncover capabilities and strengths

3

4

Expand physical footprint of the garden

Space is center for community

• Homeroom classroom boxes

• Community is able to use space for food cultivation

• Functional acreage of garden boxes

• Excess produce can be sold

• School orchard

Garden
Infrastructure
Milkweed garden completed
School is registered with the
Monarch Watch Waystation Program
Irrigation System installed for each homeroom garden box
Square Foot Garden Boxes delivered

Community

Business

People Infrastructure

There was an desire expressed for local and
culturally relevant items. Two garden boxes are
being designed and sponsored by local foragers.

Square Foot Gardens

01

COVID-19
Impact

02
03
04

05

Last day of school was 3/6
We held the butterfly release party and
the students have not returned.

Produced online lessons
Anticipating a two week closure, ASU
interns and I produced mini lessons for
distribution.

School closed for duration
It was difficult to solicit feedback from the
staff as they navigated through this.

Began meal distribution
Two days a week families are able to collect
three meals for each child under 18

Next Steps

1
Continue project at MLK

2
Establish nonprofit

.

3
Foster network of community members

4
Expand Footprint

Thank you for your
time today!
Questions?