Benteen Students Become Gardeners!

Recently, on a sunny Friday morning, Benteen Elementary School students received all the ingredients necessary for a successful garden from the Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation (LHTYF), Inc., as part of their “Gardens are For Kids” initiative.  

A master gardener taught the students how to plant and nurture their new garden, which now includes spinach, collards, lettuce, and tomatoes. The entire Benteen family is now anxiously awaiting the first harvest.

Benteen Botanical is the official name of the new garden, which will be maintained by LHTYF, a faculty committee and the Growing Greatness Club. This club’s purpose is to provide student volunteers with a hands-on experience that will nurture and cultivate their Benteen Botanical garden.

The Common Core Standards address plants, life cycles, habitats, and ecosystems in the classroom, and Benteen students now have an opportunity to have a hands-on experience that correlates with their curriculum.  The students currently participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, where students have an opportunity to taste and learn about various fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.

The Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, Inc., is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, activate, motivate and empower youth in the areas of academic achievement, health, fitness, nutrition and total wellness.  Their Gardens are For Kids program is a hands-on agriculture program that partners with Atlanta elementary schools.  This partnership allows elementary aged students to learn how to plant a garden and the importance of fresh food.  The organization’s mission is aligned with Benteen’s wellness plan and curriculum.