Animal Detective Camp

 Summer camps have started! 

 This week was Haleigh's turn to attend camp.  She loved every day at Roper Mountain Science Center being an "animal detective."  Her personal assignment for the week was to care for the Southern Toads.  She would change their water and feed them crickets. 

 As her week came to a close the girls and I got to join her to experience a bit of all that she learned.  She couldn't wait to share all her new exciting info!!

 Their brave teacher led them on great discoveries at the lily pond, the oak forest, the pine forest and the butterfly garden.

 Each day of the week Haleigh brought home a project.

 And today's take home was a ....

 millipede!

Once Haleigh was home and had a quick shower she began preparing "Curls" a gourmet lunch.

 She really hopes to have him around to be a presentation for CC in the fall.  Here's to hoping!!

The Generous Garden Project Field Trip

A few weeks ago our calendar held our last scheduled field trip of the school year.  I was excited for this opportunity for our kids to learn as well as serve at "The Generous Garden Project" but I wasn't completely sure what to expect.

We arrived at our scheduled time in a side parking lot of a small natural products store.  I was shocked as we saw what was tucked behind this spot we pass on a very regular basis.  Just blocks from our house this array of gardens, greenhouses, compost sites, chicken coops, beehives and  so much more is an amazing project that is working to fight hunger right here in our community.

GROW~GIVE~TEACH

As we began our time at the garden, Mr. Anthony (in orange) explained to us the plan.  70/30, that's the plan.  They give away 70% of produce grown to agencies in Greenville to feed the hungry.  The other 30% is sold to meet the cost it takes to keep the gardens growing. 

After a brief overview of the project we went to work.

Our younger kiddos went to the gardens to start weeding.

The older kids really dug in to separate and replant many many plants that were grown from seed and had become over crowded in their current containers. 

After sweating it out in the garden for a while it was time to tour and be educated.

We started in a regular greenhouse.

Perhaps my favorite was this aquaponic greenhouse.  Fish actually live under these plants that just hang in the water.  Once it is fully up and running this system pretty much takes care of itself while growing amazing organic produce. (Haleigh is getting a close  up look at the fish.)

The composting is really fascinating to me! There are several stages to the composting, but once it is in the final stage in the worm bins it is some of the finest fertilizer available, and the worms do most of the work!

 

One of the best parts of this "Generous Garden Project" is their desire to teach.  We learned about all these different ways to garden organically, sustainably, and easily.  We learned about aquaponics, greenhouses, worm compost, bees and even visited the chicken coop.  

It was a great day that inspired us to get our herbs planted and potentially a small vegetable garden. We are hoping to return to the Generous Garden to help harvest either as a group or just our family.  Its a great way to get our hands on and help those in our own community as we learn how to make healthy choices in gardening and serving.