Sussex Consortium garden continues to grow
Thanks to a supportive community, the Sussex Consortium garden project continues to grow.
Principal Vivian Bush said students from prekindergarten through age 21 will be able to grow food in the garden, located in a fenced-in area behind the school building.
“This will teach kids about farming, agriculture, and eating what you grow,” Bush said.
The project is being led by retired Consortium occupational therapy assistant Linda Corcoran and Consortium psychologist Derick Whitcher, Bush said, noting that when she shared her vision for the project, the community stepped in to help.
East Coast Garden Center’s Ryan Cordrey donated a greenhouse to the school; Ryan’s wife Amanda Cordrey teaches in the Little Vikings Learning Center.
Cape High carpentry teacher Josh Dickson discussed with his students how they could help. Students jumped in to build raised garden beds and will also build a shed to be delivered later in the school year.
Cynthia Sammons of the Milford Elks Lodge presented Bush Dec. 9 with a check for $5,500 from the lodge for garden supplies. The Elks secured two grants, one for $3,000 and the other for $2,500; both grants are renewable each year, Bush said. Sammons’ daughter Christina Strunk is a Consortium paraprofessional.
When Corcoran mentioned during the check presentation that she would need soil delivered in late winter to fill the raised beds, Sammons immediately said the Elks Lodge would also donate the soil. Students will begin growing plants from seeds in the classroom in February, Corcoran said.
In addition to growing their own food, Bush said plans call for students to sell what they grow, enabling them to learn about the economy and running a business. They could sell flowers for Valentine’s Day, and vegetables and fruits in season, Bush said. Corcoran said she has plans for a pumpkin patch as well.
In addition to the donations, Bush said the Milford Elks Lodge has adopted two Sussex Consortium families, not just for the holiday season, but to support their needs all year long.
“We plan to be partners with the Sussex Consortium for a very long time,” Sammons said.
