Kennedy High School Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Class
The Kennedy High Urban Agriculture Club meets after school on Tuesdays in Room 403. Park Guthrie is the sponsor. We initially teamed up with the Leadership Class Beautification Committee to spruce up the Memorial Tree garden. Regular club members include Jonathon, Michelle, Sandi, Adriana, Joana, Johnny, and Clarence.
Kennedy High School has nearly an acre of underused or little used open space suitable for planting scattered around the campus. We hope to turn some of these areas into engaging, productive gardens where KHS students can take the lead in growing a healthier local food system. We are focusing on three areas right now:
(1) Propagation Area: We set up a quick and simple propagation area north of the 500 building. This area currently holds more than 80 purple tree collards (propagated by Park Guthrie’s biology class students), flats of thyme and oregano we started from seeds, and various donated plants—plum trees, day lillies, and llacon. This is where we start our seedlings and hold plant donations until we are ready to plant them. For now, Jocelyne and Muang (biology students) water the propagation area on Mondays and Fridays at lunch. Once the nearby hosebib gets repaired, we will put this area on an irrigation timer.
(2) Edible Forest/Perennial Garden: This section is between the cafeteria (800 wing) and Cutting Blvd. just inside the chain link fence. We have begun planting fruit trees (figs, Capulin cherries) and edible perennials (nopales, autum olive, grape, currant, purple tree collards, mint). We are focussing on a 1,600 square foot section most of which receives full sun.
(3) Market Garden: We have received permission to begin developing a market garden in an 8,000 square foot section just south of the scored board by the football field. We are looking forward to installing the market garden during the 2 Farms in 2 Days event on February 27th/28th of 2010. Check back for more details.
The KHS Urban Ag Club receives significant support from Urban Tilth: plant and material donations (irrigation supplies, landscaping cloth, seeds, etc.) as well as tool loans and fundraising support.
The KHS Urban Ag Club is also very grateful to the west Contra Costa County Ed Fund which supported our efforts with a $1,000 grant in November.
We are also very grateful to Principal Roxanne Brown-Garcia and WCCUSD’s Grounds Supervisor Dave Frazier for their time and support.