Every school in America should have a working garden where students help grow vegetables and herbs. While some administrators argue that gardens are expensive distractions from academics, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the educational and health benefits of school gardens.
First, school gardens provide hands-on learning opportunities that textbooks simply cannot match. When students plant seeds, measure growth, and observe pollination, they're not just reading about science, they're doing science. A study by the University of California found that students who participated in garden-based learning scored 15% higher on science assessments than students in traditional classrooms.
Second, school gardens can address the alarming rates of childhood obesity and poor nutrition in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 20% of American children are obese. Research shows that children who grow their own vegetables are significantly more likely to eat them. If we want healthier kids, we need to connect them with where food comes from.
Some may argue that school budgets are already stretched thin, and gardens are an unnecessary expense. However, many schools have started gardens with minimal funding through community partnerships and grants. The initial investment is small compared to the long-term benefits in student health and academic engagement.
The question is not whether we can afford school gardens. The question is whether we can afford to deprive students of this valuable learning experience. For the sake of our children's education and health, every school should break ground on a garden this spring.