Growing Our Garden Club

Eating what you grow is the foundation of our garden club. The last few years we have been able to operate an afterschool garden club thanks to a Reach Grant that Waimea Middle received. One of many afterschool programs supported by this funding, we are extremely appreciative. Especially to Pat Rice who continues to find funding for our students to explore their passions with extracurricular activities.

This year we were able to welcome a total of 14 students over the course of 8 months, with some participating since they were in 6th grade!

The focus of our garden club has always been the garden and the delicious and healthy food that our students help to cultivate. This year the students have really taken an interest to cooking and the culinary arts. As a culinary garden we strive to foster this connection between land, food and people. We focused a lot on the culinary arts and teaching our students practical skills like, measuring, reading a recipe, how to use a knife correctly and safely.

We tried a variety of recipes from local cuisine to international foods and delicious meals prepared by visiting chefs. While many recipes were curated by garden staff, the students had a hand in helping to create their own experience in this culinary club. Some fun recipes students wanted to try were homemade veggie burgers, tanghulu candy, kimchi and red pasta sauce!

Some special moments from this year! The students helped the mala process and preserve over 60lbs of garden grown sweet potatoes. We welcomed guest chef Tony Cootey, who is a timeless advocate for culinary education and a supporter of the garden. We visited a local culinary establishment, “The Waimea Butcher Shop”, so our students could see and learn about the inner workings of a culinary based career.

Finally at the end of the year, our students welcomed their family members to the mala, where we shared a meal together. An opportunity for students and parents to chat and share in community.