When schools closed in late March, the Farm to School team—along with everyone else—wasn’t sure what would happen next. We knew teachers were swamped, had overflowing inboxes, and not enough hours in the day—so we took a step back, not wanting to add any more noise to their already loud lives. 

In early April, we began fielding questions from teachers interested in school gardens who were unsure as to how best to maintain them during the outbreak. We connected gardeners with resources (notably the Vermont Community Garden Network) and started meeting virtually with Farm to School teams interested in maintaining their outdoor growing spaces and looking for a concrete project to focus on. 

We saw an opportunity to expand the support Food Connects offered and facilitate planning calls and a community of practice for school garden coordinators. The group was able to visit two school gardens—Academy School in Brattleboro and Westminster Community School—before the buzz of summer took hold. These meetings became spaces for educators from throughout the region to share ideas, troubleshoot obstacles, and brainstorm solutions. 

The coming school year is still cloaked in uncertainty, but—thanks to this group of dedicated educators and growers—students can expect to find bountiful gardens. And who knows, teachers may find these outdoor classrooms a useful alternative for lessons beyond life cycles, nutrition, and garden education.

Food Connects works with schools throughout the region. If you have questions or are interested in joining a Farm to School community of practice, let us know! We hope to be able to host our Regional Fall Gathering, in addition to coordinator calls and more informal gatherings this year.