Tucson, AZ - In 2009 when Sallie Marston (political geographer and social theorist and a Regents Professor Emerita in the School of Geography, Development and Environment) and a small group of interested UA interns partnered with a Project MORE class and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to support a school garden program, they did not dream that it would grow into one of the top school garden programs in the US and develop into a network of the 70 school gardens throughout the Tucson Unified School District today, many in underserved neighborhoods. Over the years, thousands of students and teachers have been touched by this program.
The School Garden Workshop connects PK-12 students in public schools with Tucson’s long agricultural legacy by planting, maintaining, and engaging in school gardens. Using gardens as dynamic educational tools, we help cultivate community, connect students with their local food system and use gardens as place-based STEAM learning labs.
Director Moses Thompson, with a broad guidance counselor background knows what a positive growth and educational experience the school gardens offer for all students and that learning doesn't have to be contained to the classroom. On many Tucson Unified campuses, students are getting their hands dirty while understanding about ecology, sustainability, culture, nutrition and more in their school gardens.
"School gardens awaken joy and wonderment in our young learners and are a place where people from across the community can connect with each other, the natural world and our deep regional food heritage," said Moses.
The latest of the gardens is nearing completion at Mansfeld Middle School. On November 7th, the Sprouts House Culinary Bungalows were dedicated at a ceremony featuring the little mariachis from Davis Bilingual who themselves are in the gardening program, Representative Adelita Grijalva , Leader from Sprouts Markets, UA Dignitaries and donors….for a first look at the newly completed Sprouts House which consists of two historic bungalows that have been fully restored thanks to the generous donation of a million dollars from Sprouts Market. One of the buildings is a culinary kitchen space with state-of-the-art equipment and workspaces, the other has a prep kitchen and rooms for students to meet and discuss nutrition, menus, etc.
On Tuesday, December 16th, groundbreaking will take place at Bobby's Garden adjacent to the Sprouts Bungalows. Named for the late "Bobby" Gentry, initial planting will begin with donated agaves from the Agave Heritage Foundation, indigenous plants from Tucson City of Gastronomy, Chili Pepper plants from GUT (Gastronomic Union of Tucson) and more. Ultimately the garden will be full of seasonal vegetables, fruit trees, etc. Students will also oversee weekly produce sales once the garden is in full production, as well as egg sales from the twelve lovely hens on the property. The hens will be auctioned off for naming rights at the gathering on the 16th.
On a personal note:
In January of 2024, with the loss of my dear husband Robert "Bobby" Gentry, my stepson Matt and I and his many friends wanted to do something that would honor his memory. As a master gardener, talented home chef and everyone's favorite "Grandpa", we decided to see if there would be an opportunity to create a small school garden in his name. After talking with longtime UA School Garden Workshop supporters Carlotta and Ray Flores, they suggested we meet with Moses to see if he had any ideas. Lucky for us, a new larger venue was in the planning stages at Mansfeld Middle School that would be a feeder school for garden students in TUSD elementary schools. The plan was for the two historic bungalows, a sizable garden, greenhouse and chicken coop to take over a large portion of the space located just west of Mansfeld off of Mountain Avenue. Since then, we have raised over $25,000 In donations from Bobby's many friends here and around the country in support of the garden.
Bobby's Garden will be dedicated with a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, December 16th at 11:15am. Many of Tucson's chefs that I have worked with over the years are very excited about working with the kids in the program as the garden grows, sharing their love of cooking and helping to create the "foodies" of the future. As a dear friend and representative of the Tucson City of Gastronomy, Janos Wilder will emcee the event, Chefs Ryan Clark, Gary Hickey, Devon Sanner and others will be in attendance to participate in planting, meeting with the school culinary staff, etc. This is just the beginning of what we see as a living legacy that will benefit the whole community over the years. I hope that Tucson Media will give this project the attention it deserves - not just for Bobby's Garden, but for the many years the UA School Garden Workshop has given much to the kids who are lucky enough to be part of the program.
A Note from Matt Gentry:
Bobby’s Garden is the perfect tribute to my dad because it reflects exactly how he lived his life…planting, growing, harvesting and sharing. Gardening was his love language, and it’s how he taught me and so many others what it means to give. For my dad, this isn’t just a garden… it’s single-handedly the greatest tribute we could ever do to honor the way he lived and loved.
For additional information on the UA School Garden Workshop visit: https://schoolgardens.arizona.edu
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