It’s been a whole year — what? A year ago, Moss Haven Elementary started The Farm, a learning garden complete with chicken coop (video of opening below, full story here). Tomorrow morning (Friday) at 8 a.m., the so-called Farmers and school will celebrate the inaugural year with an outdoor roundup on The Farm, south side of the school, 9202 Moss Farm Lane.
Though it seems to have sprinted by, the year offered enough time for the following (highlights courtesy MHE mom Tiffany Walker):
Kim Aman, an RISD STAR Teacher of the Year finalist, launched daily Farm Club for 1-6 grade students
The Farm became an American Heart Association Teaching Garden site
Farmers set up a 1000 Gallon Rain Water Harvest System with working hand pump
Farmers plotted 22 raised farm beds (a planting bed for each class, farm club and after school club)
… and expanded Texas native plants Bed
Educators utilized Outdoor Learning Environment to teach nutrition, math, life science and journaling
Partnered with Master Gardeners of Dallas, through which nine experts volunteer throughout the year with Moss Haven students and staff
Installed farm field where rows of crops will be planted
Got school cafeteria involved in compost system
Added six vermi-composting worm bins
Revamped Brain Cafe classroom complete with stove, cooking supplies and nutritional info displayed for classes to have farm-to-table experience
Received Healthy School Zone Bronze campus rating
Promoted healthier a-la carte fresh food items and reduced high sugar items in cafeteria
Established indoor hydroponics gardening system
Created arbor entry way next to custom barn storage shed
Secured over $40,000 in grants, donated services and goods to support The Farm
Opened custom chicken coop to house four new MHE hens — Laverne, Shirley, Wilma and Betty
