Learn all about the innovative ways local public school gardens are helping students on a self-guided tour Saturday, March 3.
Noteworthy things you'll see: Gardens developed under solar panels at Manzo Elementary and Rincon High Schools, the new greenhouse at J.B. Wright Elementary and the aquaponics system at Manzo, to name a few.
There are currently 57 school gardens in the Tucson Unified School District. A partnership between the UA and TUSD called the Community School and Garden Program, uses 24 of them (plus three community gardens) as teaching opportunities for college interns, teachers and K-12 students.
Here's how it works: UA students training in the basics of sustainable agriculture are placed as interns in these gardens to support installation, maintain and enhance public gardens and to assist teachers and K-12 students in the use of these spaces as an extension of the classroom.
Fresh produce grown in school gardens and nearby farms is also used in class settings and cafeterias throughout TUSD.
You can learn more on the tour, which is hosted by Food Conspiracy Co-op and the University of Arizona Community School and Garden Program, where you'll explore 12 of these spaces first-hand.
If you go
What: School Garden Tour
When: Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: 12 schools and community gardens around Tucson
Cost: $5-20. Proceeds benefit UA Community School and Garden Program
Info: Click here to register. Upon registration, you'll receive an emailed packet with garden locations and information.
