TYLER —
All Saints Episcopal School has the largest school learning farm in Texas. Students from 3K through 4th grade have the opportunity to step outside the classroom and into the plant farm.
“They literally put a plant in the ground, and they’re taught how to pack it in the soil and just get their hands dirty,” Michael Brady, All Saints Director of Food Services, said.
The farm harvests plants all year long. However, it is in October that the students truly get to see their plants grow.
“This is the biggest one of the year because of the time of year. The kids are in class and in session and all that kind of stuff," Brady said. "Their teachers will bring them out here to see the plants thrive. They pick a plant and they try it. They’ll go 'Eww that’s bitter,' or 'It’s sour!'”
Brady says the program helps the kids learn how to nurture and care for something other than themselves. It also teaches the children about the food that eat.
“They see and identify the greens on their plate," Brady said. "After seeing this thing grow and thrive. We harvested it and we put it on a plate for you.”