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Beyond connecting with their heritage, the garden fosters academics, Moore says. For example, first graders develop their measurement skills by measuring corn throughout the season. By fourth grade, there’s a reading and writing component, as they write letters inviting tribal leaders to their end-of-year banquet. Meanwhile, seventh and eighth graders dig into entrepreneurship—learning how to make the garden profitable. While much of the produce stays in the community and goes home with the children, some is sold
to Kai, the only restaurant in Arizona to make AAA’s 2010 list of Five Diamond Award winners. Moore is proud of the program’s success. “I’m helping to raise vegetable-savvy children,” he says. “And it’s interesting to see how much the kids like contributing to their families’ food supply.” Ames Singley, the school’s principal, is grateful for the community council’s endorsement of the program. “Their support is necessary to keep something like this going,” he says. “And with Tim’s talent and commitment, it’s really branched
out to other schools in our community. It’s a model project.” But there’s something larger at play than a half-hour class in a garden. “It’s a link to their culture,” Singley says, “and it’s being recognized by people who know that’s important.”
Gila Crossing Community School agriculture teacher Tim Moore teaches children the importance of growing and eating traditionally farmed foods—with a few surprises (like pineapples!) thrown into the mix.
Gila Crossing Community School Foods grown through the Young People’s Planting Program can be sampled at Kai, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler; 602-385-5726; wildhorsepassresort.com
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