Starting the school year off with planting, harvesting through the holidays, ushering in the spring with fresh greens and classes in the warmth of a high tunnel… these are but a few of the pleasures that students at Walpole Middle School will be able to enjoy in the future.
This Spring, thanks to a partnership with the Hooper Institute and funding from the Cheshire County Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), staff at the Walpole Middle School will be erecting a high tunnel just outside the door of their cafeteria. A high tunnel, often referred to as a hoop house or greenhouse, is a structure that allows farmers to extend their growing season. Farmers plant directly into the ground and their crops are sheltered by the plastic covering.
Students and their families will participate in the planning and construction through June and the sowing of seeds in August. The school hopes to grow greens and other cold hearty varieties through the winter. School cafeteria staff will have the opportunity to prepare and serve the bounty and teachers will be able to utilize the year-round outdoor learning site for plant and soil biology lessons, math, culture and historical studies, and so much more.
Eloise Clark, Director of the Hooper Institute, spearheaded the initiative to build a high tunnel at the school. She is working in partnership with guidance counselor Glenn Stan and principal Sam Jacobs. In her grant application for a high tunnel Clark shared that “A high tunnel at the Middle School will provide an opportunity for the next step in securing healthy food for our student population during the winter months. Students will be empowered by maintaining sustainable growing practices. Their efforts will demonstrate that healthy diets can be achieved, to their families and the community at large.”
If your school doesn’t have a high tunnel but you would still like to see the students benefit from nutritious, locally grown food check out MonadnockMenus.org. This program allows schools to buy directly from local farms. Schools can check out the e-commerce site to see what is in season and order a weekly delivery from one easy-to-buy location.
Twenty-eight farms in Cheshire County are working with NRCS to purchase and build a high tunnel. These tunnels allow for season extension; meaning that schools and restaurants in the Monadnock Region have the option to serve local produce year round. Right now in early June folks can buy spinach, rutabagas, radishes, rhubarb, lettuce, asparagus, greens, fresh herbs, as well as order puddings, yogurts, eggs, hamburger, bagels, breads, and so much more from Monadnock Menus. The good news is that the inventory grows with the season, so there is a great deal to look forward to in coming months. Monadnock Menus represents farms in our region and sells & delivers to wholesale buyers.
When you buy from Monadnock Menus you are supporting local farm businesses and supporting the economic vitality of the agricultural sector. For more information on high tunnels, farm and garden curriculum, and Monadnock Menus do not hesitate to contact the Conservation District at info@cheshireconservation.org or 603-756-2988 ext.116.
Amanda Littleton works with the Cheshire County Conservation District, an organization that supports the conservation and responsible use of our natural resources. She is a member of the Monadnock Sustainability Network, a 501c3 whose mission is to encourage sustainable living practices and resource conservation in the Monadnock region