News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The first harvest of Pickett County High School’s student garden is now ready.
Pickett County High School Teacher Tracy Smith said her students have worked hard to create a successful garden with a self watering system.
“Student worked on the design of the raised bed gardens,” Smith said. “They looked at the designs and differently things they wanted to grow. They were able to make suggestions. We worked together to design something that we can be very proud of.”
Smith said students have squash, zucchini and cucumbers available for purchase. Once school starts, Smith said a chef will be invited to teach the students how to use the ingredients they grew.
“We have plans to invite a chef,” Smith said. “It may be virtual, but we are going to talk to chefs about ways to incorporate these vegetables into meals they enjoy. We also have a small herb garden, and not all people are familiar how to use fresh herbs.”
The garden was possible through a Grants for Growing grant from Tractor Supply Company. Pickett County was one of seven schools in Tennessee to receive the grant. The grant is worth up to $5,000.
Smith said the agriculture students received help from a T-CAT building trade class to create a flat spot of land for the garden. Smith said the students learned how to engineer retaining walls and put in weed barriers.
When students come back to school, tomatoes will be the next crop available. Tracy Smith is accepting purchase requests through her Facebook page.
