Reaching All Minds
STEM Academy
Community Garden
Gardening for Student
Growth, Health, and Wealth
Reaching All Minds Academy currently has 10 community garden beds on our campus, all of which are planted, maintained and harvested by our 400 K-8 students. Beginning in Kindergarten, students receive Agriculture classes each year through 6th grade. Students first learn the fundamentals of the plant life cycle. Then students begin planting, tending and harvesting the gardens on our campus. Students sample the fruits and vegetables they help grow, experiencing new foods and learning how to prepare fresh produce.
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In April of each year, all RAMA students participate in a large-scale planting event that allows them to take fruit and vegetable plants home. Students are taught how to plant and care for potted plant gardens, creating a fresh food source within their homes. Like our school’s location, many many of our students live within food deserts. These home gardens break down a barrier to fresh produce and healthier food options for our families with the goal of helping all students become self-sufficient, being able to provide for themselves and their families regardless of their environment and surroundings.
In addition to our fruit and vegetable gardens, RAM Academy holds the honor of being the easternmost point on the Monarch Butterfly Trail. The space surrounding our school’s sign is a pollinator garden designed specifically to create a safe landing space for Monarch butterflies as they migrate. This garden is used as a learning space to help students understand the pollination process and how critical our pollinators are.
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Throughout the year, our students work to share their knowledge of planting and creating home gardens with our neighbors in the school’s surrounding community. With our Greenhouse Bus, a decommissioned school bus that we have converted into a functional greenhouse, our students and Agriculture teacher attend events where they plant starter potted plants with community members. We have attended events throughout East Durham, and have begun working with other schools in the Durham and Wake County areas to expand community awareness of the benefits of fresh produce and how to grow it at home.
Interested in getting involved? Our gardens are operational all year long, and we are always looking for groups and individuals to help us. If you’re interested in volunteering in our gardens, please contact Natasha Wayne at nwayne@reachingallminds.com.
Growth
Health
Wealth
Garden