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The following interview with Cheryl Hansen, Garden Project Teacher at Leggett Valley School was conducted by Mike Marino, journalism student.

Michael: What is the goal of the garden project?

Cheryl: It’s to have a beautiful garden that involves the whole community, and to learn about garden environments and the world.

Michael: How many students are involved?

Cheryl: Most of the elementary and several high school students so far. We just started.

Michael: What is the make up of the plants in the garden?

Cheryl: There are theme beds that include: sunflowers, herbs, California native plants, the three sisters: corn, beans and squash, morning glory and bean teepees, several vegetable beds, and a memorial bed.

Michael: What’s in store for the future?

Cheryl: A straw bale outdoor kitchen, a Japanese garden, solar fountain, strawberry beds, a California wildflower meadow, and a high school garden with crops. This may be used for farmers market. Lastly, we hope to have a small orchard.

In addition, we offer a Life Lab Science class curriculum using the garden as a laboratory. Also, we use as much of the harvest from the garden as possible to use in our Cooking Class elective.

PHOTO: Cheryl Hanson and Lynn Shansky have created a garden at Leggett Valley School. The Garden Program is meant to foster appreciation of growing food and preparing it to eat. Pictured from left, Cory Foster, Cody Malone, Lynn Shansky, and Cheryl Hansen.