MFS Science Teacher Andrea Robinson decided to take the Hartman Hall garden, a school staple for a few years now, in a new direction by getting Lower School students involved. With the help of these new volunteers, Robinson plans to harvest enough tomatoes next fall to supply the Dining Hall enough to feed the entire school a meal.

Currently, the garden is already producing spinach and three types of lettuce; Robinson recently brought a third grade class outside to learn about sustainability and how to grow vegetables.

Mr. Quinn’s third grade class tasted spinach leaves from the garden and then planted tomato seeds. For many of the young students, it was their first time tasting anything fresh from a garden. Ms Robinson noted that “the Lower Schoolers were excited to have responsibility for the garden and enjoyed planting the seeds.”

Robinson said she is confident that the interest in the garden from students of all ages will continue to grow— pun intended. She hopes to start up a club or elective block so Upper School students can help maintain the garden. Currently, Robinson does most of the gardening herself, with help from a few volunteers.

With more hands on deck next year, her idea to provide enough fresh vegetables to supply the Dining Hall seems to be on the right track.

Still, even though she is optimistic, she said that “right now it is just a hope for the future, but not yet an actual plan.” With the help of the Mr. Quinn’s third grade class, her distant hope could soon become reality.