Sprouting Up Healthy Growth With A School Garden

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South El Monte High School is a predominantly Latino High School located in Los Angeles, California. The School is located in a Latino working class community, with little access or education on obesity prevention. A chart from the local public health report shows the school as the highest ranked city with prevalence of diabetes at 34.5% for children.

The students at South El Monte High School wanted to leave a lasting impression for future students in regards to having a healthier future. Working with Youth voices and the PTA, six students quickly grew an idea of how to help future students have better eating habits through a school garden, the SEMHS Greensleeves: Garden Project.

The Team GreenSleeves, consists of six students: Vienna Z., Jocelyn R., Adriana T., Francisco Z., Sophia S., Brenda A.

These students even put together a prezi presentation to show administrators and other supporters the way the garden will come into fruition. The students of the Greensleeves project aim to make this garden a sustainable way for the school to eat healthier by bringing the harvested goods into culinary art classes, school breakfasts and lunches as well as at local swap meets.

The garden is projected to start in its first phases in August 2015 with support from PTSA administrators. The next steps include clearing the land, planting and fundraising asks to local organizations and businesses for tools and donations. Their goal is to have the garden officially established by the spring of 2016.

Read more on the schools garden project here.

Follow the progress of the project on twitter #KCETYV.