By PAM SCHIFF

On May 19, Arlington Elementary Community Garden participants had the opportunity to share and learn while collaborating with members of the OneCranston Health Equity Zone (HEZ).

“We are looking at gardening as a mindfulness activity, as well as a way to grow your own food,” said Ivy Swinski, project coordinator for OneCranston HEZ.

They had two gardeners leading the program:  Sophath Toun (local landscape architect) and Alan Newton (Master Gardener).

Arlington’s garden was brought into being during the winter of 2020, when Arlington Principal Patricia Caporelli, former Councilman Steve Stycos, current councilman John Donegan and Arlington teachers facilitated and assisted the school in applying for and receiving the People’s Garden Project Grant.

“We applied for this grant in order to begin a community garden/learning landscape for our neighborhood and students. This had been a longtime dream. Since receiving the grant funds, our garden has been developed with approximately 12 dirt plots, surrounded by fencing and most recently with a swinging gate. Unfortunately, Covid hit and many of our plans had to be put on hold,” said Stephanie Simone, fifth grade teacher and garden coordinator.

However, it did not dissuade the principal, three teachers, two community families and Stycos from beginning to plant vegetables, fruits and flowers.

“In April, each teacher and family weeded and cultivated a plot. We planted vegetables such as butternut squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, cantaloupe, and watermelon; herbs such as lemon balm, basil, and cilantro. The foods harvested during the summer and fall were used for personal cooking and sharing with students during lessons, such as taste tests,” Simone said.

The teachers used the garden in the fall to teach and reinforce science concepts. Children were able to view and have hands-on experiences with plant parts, sorting of fruits and vegetables, seed differences and the needs of living things and pollinators. The children watched as bees, butterflies and birds ventured into our garden to naturally help the plants to grow.

Since many Covid restrictions have ended, staff and families have attended webinars from URI’s Cooperative Extension, spoken with Master Gardeners, reached out to the middle school and high schools to offer volunteer hours for National Honors students, to help with weeding and garden maintenance.

“We were able to satisfy another piece of the grant’s request on Thursday, May 19, 2022. With the help of One Cranston Health Equity Zone’s assistance, we offered a workshop given by a URI Master Gardener and a landscape architect to increase our community participation and educate our participants in seasonal planting and gardening tips,” Simone said.

 They offered gardening beds, tools and plants -- all graciously donated -- to get families started. The attendees were from all over the city, including Arlington, Peters, Eden Park.

“The students learned the basics of gardening, when is it important to plant, how do you harvest produce, how to correctly water your plants -- always go to the roots and not the leaves, if you just water the leafy part of the plant, no water will get to the roots. We learned that plants can get sunburned just like people, so if you are introducing an indoor plant outside it will take some time, and you should introduce it slowly. We also learned some tips in how to keep rabbits and gophers out of your garden (plant mint!),” said Swinski.

CCAP donated the seedlings and Sophath also brought seedlings from her garden; Westbay Community Garden donated the dirt.

Each family received gardening gloves, a shovel, a 45-gallon raised bed, as well as some seedlings to bring home. The Cranston Family Center/COZ gave items to support families.

“We had approximately 34 to 40 people in attendance. Since our workshop, several families have requested one of the available plots. It is our hope that we can grow and harvest more produce this season to share with our Arlington community at Cranston events this summer and fall,” Simone said.

After many long years of waiting for this opportunity, the Arlington Elementary School and Community has had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to continue to bring fresh foods, self-reliance and community building experiences to their neighborhood.

“This is also an exciting moment for us. We will be having our Farmers Market again this upcoming summer, running July to September 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Bain Middle school track parking lot. We are excited to show people the process from farm to table,” said Swinski.

To learn more about HEZ visit, cranstonhez.org or call 401-714-7004.

By PAM SCHIFF

On May 19, Arlington Elementary Community Garden participants had the opportunity to share and learn while collaborating with members of the OneCranston Health Equity Zone (HEZ).

“We are looking at gardening as a mindfulness activity, as well as a way to grow your own food,” said Ivy Swinski, project coordinator for OneCranston HEZ.

They had two gardeners leading the program:  Sophath Toun (local landscape architect) and Alan Newton (Master Gardener).

Arlington’s garden was brought into being during the winter of 2020, when Arlington Principal Patricia Caporelli, former Councilman Steve Stycos, current councilman John Donegan and Arlington teachers facilitated and assisted the school in applying for and receiving the People’s Garden Project Grant.

“We applied for this grant in order to begin a community garden/learning landscape for our neighborhood and students. This had been a longtime dream. Since receiving the grant funds, our garden has been developed with approximately 12 dirt plots, surrounded by fencing and most recently with a swinging gate. Unfortunately, Covid hit and many of our plans had to be put on hold,” said Stephanie Simone, fifth grade teacher and garden coordinator.

However, it did not dissuade the principal, three teachers, two community families and Stycos from beginning to plant vegetables, fruits and flowers.

“In April, each teacher and family weeded and cultivated a plot. We planted vegetables such as butternut squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, cantaloupe, and watermelon; herbs such as lemon balm, basil, and cilantro. The foods harvested during the summer and fall were used for personal cooking and sharing with students during lessons, such as taste tests,” Simone said.

The teachers used the garden in the fall to teach and reinforce science concepts. Children were able to view and have hands-on experiences with plant parts, sorting of fruits and vegetables, seed differences and the needs of living things and pollinators. The children watched as bees, butterflies and birds ventured into our garden to naturally help the plants to grow.

Since many Covid restrictions have ended, staff and families have attended webinars from URI’s Cooperative Extension, spoken with Master Gardeners, reached out to the middle school and high schools to offer volunteer hours for National Honors students, to help with weeding and garden maintenance.

“We were able to satisfy another piece of the grant’s request on Thursday, May 19, 2022. With the help of One Cranston Health Equity Zone’s assistance, we offered a workshop given by a URI Master Gardener and a landscape architect to increase our community participation and educate our participants in seasonal planting and gardening tips,” Simone said.

 They offered gardening beds, tools and plants -- all graciously donated -- to get families started. The attendees were from all over the city, including Arlington, Peters, Eden Park.

“The students learned the basics of gardening, when is it important to plant, how do you harvest produce, how to correctly water your plants -- always go to the roots and not the leaves, if you just water the leafy part of the plant, no water will get to the roots. We learned that plants can get sunburned just like people, so if you are introducing an indoor plant outside it will take some time, and you should introduce it slowly. We also learned some tips in how to keep rabbits and gophers out of your garden (plant mint!),” said Swinski.

CCAP donated the seedlings and Sophath also brought seedlings from her garden; Westbay Community Garden donated the dirt.

Each family received gardening gloves, a shovel, a 45-gallon raised bed, as well as some seedlings to bring home. The Cranston Family Center/COZ gave items to support families.

“We had approximately 34 to 40 people in attendance. Since our workshop, several families have requested one of the available plots. It is our hope that we can grow and harvest more produce this season to share with our Arlington community at Cranston events this summer and fall,” Simone said.

After many long years of waiting for this opportunity, the Arlington Elementary School and Community has had a wonderful experience and can’t wait to continue to bring fresh foods, self-reliance and community building experiences to their neighborhood.

“This is also an exciting moment for us. We will be having our Farmers Market again this upcoming summer, running July to September 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Bain Middle school track parking lot. We are excited to show people the process from farm to table,” said Swinski.

To learn more about HEZ visit, www.cranstonhez.org or call 401-714-7004.