'OVAL' project helps students go green

AVILONIA What began as a project to beautify an "ugly oval" at Vilonia Middle School has blossomed into a full-fledged kid's green thumb project.

A couple of years ago, fifth-graders in the Vilonia Academy of Service and Technology (VAST), housed at the Middle School, armed with tape measures, rope, hammers, shovels and stakes, began a project to turn an "ugly oval" piece of ground, surrounded by a concrete parking lot, into an outdoor classroom. Under the supervision of VAST teacher David Garrett, the students put their math and science skills to work measuring pathways and designing and building. The project took shape before the end of that school year and evolved into the "Oval" which stands for Outdoor Venue for Academic Learning.

Since, the project has continued allowing additional fifth-grade VAST students, under Garrett's supervision, to also contribute and further the project.

Garrett applied for a $3,500 Arkansas Schoolyard Habitat Grant and received it this month allowing the project to continue.

The next phase, Garrett said, will include benches built from natural wood, a fountain with triangle shaped waterfalls, which will serve as a focal point, to be filled with native species of fish. Solar power, he added, will be utilized to run the fountain's pump. And, a gazebo, with seating, will allow teachers to utilize the outdoor classroom, he explained.

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"It's an ongoing project," he said. "We hope it will just keep going and going and going. Who knows where we will stop?"

As well as enjoying the benefits, the students will be taking care of the maintenance, Garrett shared. There are plans for them to weed and mow.

"The students will mow with a non-fossil powered (push) mower," Garrett explained. "There will be no pesticides or herbicides. We will be all green."

A second area which Garrett refers to as "Beyond," will be turned into an area inhabited with native trees. There are also plans for a Veterans' Memorial in the mix.

Prior to the grant, the students have shouldered the fundraising efforts to attain "seed money," as well as formed some local partnerships with them contributing.

The ongoing project is far reaching, Garrett said. It is designed to provide a whole generation of students with an extended education one that will provide them with the know-how to produce a vegetable garden and contribute to feeding their family and their community.

"We are seeing a generation of children that know nothing about being self-sufficient," he said. "Out of the 56 students, at least half had never gardened before. Now, they are raising gardens at their house and helping to feed their families."

As a part of the project, students begin the learning process with a "milk-carton" garden. The students select the seeds, nurture the plants and record growth and watering. From the seeds, they grow flowers for the OVAL and vegetable plants THAT they may take home.

Walking down the hallways at Vilonia Middle School, it's not unusual to hear one student ask another "how's your garden?"

Inquiring, one learns the rain has taken a toll on some of the youngsters' gardens. Others, weren't affected as much. Students share their home gardens are planted with tomatoes, squash, beans, green peppers, strawberries and okra. Braxton Barber said he has his own garden but is also helping his grandfather with his.

There is a catch to the planting, according to the children. Under Garrett's rules, they must give away their best plant to someone else.

"This is about teaching them also about service to others," Garrett confirmed.

Emily French plans to not only give away her best tomato plant but plans to share some of the fruits of her others with her neighbors. Emma Shaver, who said she lives in an apartment, is planning to take corn to her neighbor.

The students appear to relish the act. Student Rebecca Watkins explains the idea, "We don't need the best one. We know how to grow and take care of the other ones."