School Farms during the Covid-19 school closure

What is happening at the South Whidbey School Farms during this time of Covid-19 school closure, and stay-at-home?

Are the School Farms still being cultivated, planted and maintained?
Yes. K-12 education, food and agriculture are essential services, and the School Farms support all these. You can follow our work here (scroll down link for posts.)

• • Education:  We are collaborating with John LaVassar, garden science specialist, by making instructional videos for online learning. These videos will keep the students connected with the farm and what they would normally be learning there. This remote learning, as well other online resources and practical tips, will also help students and their families grow food at home. Our YouTube channel for student farmers at home is HERE.
  • Food:  We are harvesting overwintered crops of kale and carrots for delivery to the school lunch program, Whidbey Island Nourishes and the Good Cheer Food Bank. We will be delivering spring greens as soon as they are ready.
  • Agriculture: We are expanding our spring season production so as to feed students and their families asap: kale, bok choi, spinach, lettuce, snap and snow peas, turnips and carrots. In addition, we are growing starts to be distributed to families for home gardens, as well as providing growing instructions.

With the students not at school, how are you keeping it all going?

• • Eight classified staff have been assigned to the School Farms to help with all the tasks that the students would normally be doing: preparing beds, planting, weeding, composting and farm maintenance. AmeriCorps service members are growing starts, cultivating and planting, and assisting with online learning and community outreach/education. The School Farm Manager, and the Readiness to Learn assistant Farm Manager are coordinating this work at the Elementary and High School gardens (1.25 acres under cultivation).

How are you staying safe?

• • We practice stringent social distancing, sanitation and hygiene protocols for a safe working environment.
  • Since the schools are closed, we ask that people not visit the school farms at this time.
  • We are also not able to accept offers to help volunteer at this time.

Together we will get through this! Be safe!
And email us at schoolgardenswhidbey@gmail.com if you have any questions… either about the program, or how to grow food at home.

~~Cary Peterson, School Farms Manager