The Barringer Academic Center (BAC), a CMS elementary school, was selected in a contest as a pilot project to build and sustain an outdoor produce garden. The garden project consisted of building five raised-bed plots in the Kindergarten courtyard and a free-standing garden in the school's main courtyard. BAC teachers were trained on basic garden skills and tips for working with children in the garden.

> View photos and learn more about this project.

What we accomplished:

• For kids - children were able to plant, maintain and harvest produce from the garden.
• For teachers - teachers were able to utilize the gardening principals to teach lessons in science, mathematics, art, and literature.
• For the community - developed a collaborative between the school, local agencies, and volunteers from the community.

We are happy with the success of the BAC garden and the Mecklenburg County Fruit & Vegetable Coalition feels confident that the many resources developed and obtained during the garden project will be utilized in the future for duplicating a garden project in other CMS elementary schools.

For more information, contact Allison Mignery, MCHD Nutritionist at 704-432-3468.