Saxonville Gardens Proposal

1. Saxonville Gardens Proposal Concepts by: Brendan Ryan Foodservice Director- Framingham School District

2. Quick History of Saxonville • “…Saxonville when the textile industry was established here, one of the early companies being named the ‘Saxon Factory Company’....” -framingham.com • The Saxonville Falls and Dam (1865) • The water power at these falls has been used to drive mill wheels since 1659 when John Stone built his grist mill here.  • The current dam dates back to 1865. f-ramingham.com

3. Why “saxonville”? • Saxonville named after Saxon land development company • This area was claimed as wilderness, booming textile industry, and land development business • With natural resources historic as a success, why not use them?

4. Why now?Massachusetts Obesity • Between 25-30 % of the state’s 10-17 year olds are overweight or obese. • Obese children face serious health consequences including: • Increased risk of developing diabetes • Asthma • Heart disease • Depression • Low self esteem

5. White House Efforts: Teach Kids, make changes

7. Other Existing Efforts • Farm2School/ Farm to fork • Helps school systems co-operate with local farms and gardens to supply fresh and local foods • Minimizes business to large industrial factories/businesses • Kids know that their lunch is grown, not formulated • “Locally Grown Food Served Here” • State pushes food be purchased local and in season • Minimize out-of-season purchasing! • “Fresh is more”

8. The Saxonville Gardens • Framingham High School is equipped with an approximate 2 acre unused interior courtyard void of any maintained vegetation such as trees shrubs, bushes, or existing garden(s) • Use of this location would be ideal to maximize the visual impact of the student body and limit vandalism (enclosed area) • Flourishing Saxonville Gardens will inspire and re-invent the prospering community that first settled here

9. Land Ho! F.H.S. Proposed area for apple and pear trees Proposed garden space

10. Saxonville Garden Layout W E S 275 Feet Gladiolas Gladiolas Romaine Chopped Gladiolas Gladiolas Spinach & Lettuce Cauliflower Onions Tomato String beans Boston lettuce Zuch & Squash Broccoli 81 Feet Eggplant Red Pepper Cauliflower Tomato Broccoli Onions Red Romaine Lettuce Sweet Potato Pea Pods Green Pepper Cucumbers Gladiolas Gladiolas Gladiolas Gladiolas Rinse station Sprinkler head / Water Line Tool Shed Door entrance

11. Saxonville Gardens Layout 2 5 ft Oregano Thyme Sage Sunflowers Sunflowers Basil Doo r Doo r Dalias Sea Grass Dalias 5 ft 5 ft Iris Iris Basil Parsley Parsley Lemon Thyme Rosemary Oregano -Tulips- Daffodils -Tulips- Daffodills Walkway Walkway 3 ft

12. Main Objective • Create a completely sustainable and organic environment so students can be involved, understand agriculture and “real” food • Kids will understand business and value of food as they make profit in selling at farmers markets • A win-win situation: Growth of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers puts excellent use of the land Kids will create and continue a legacy of planting and maintaining an organic farm

13. District Involvement: • Elementary, middle, and high schools involved • Seedling development will be based on curriculum in correct applicable grade level i.e.: grade 2 learns parts of a flower, they spread flower seeds • Each grade from elementary-middle school will focus on an individual food/plant • High School students will participate in planting, maintaining, harvesting, and selling/using foods

14. Here’s one more reasonEconomic Recession: gardening to create riches • School garden will bring funds to support clubs • No costs: Crops for the kids, by the kids • Kids will run farmers market; fresh foods, fast cash • Crops supply a “Harvest Day” @ schools; fresh free food!

15. USDA answers our questions • Q: Can the school food service use funds from the nonprofit school food service account to purchase seeds for a school garden? • A: Yes, with the understanding that the garden is used within the context of the program, i.e. selling the food or providing food in the classroom as part of an educational lesson. • Q: Can the school food service use funds from the nonprofit school food service account to purchase items for the school garden such as fertilizer, watering cans, rakes, etc.? • A: Yes, as long as the items are used for the purpose of starting and maintaining the garden. • Q: Can a school sell food grown in their school garden that was funded using the nonprofit school food service account? • A: Yes, as long as the revenue from the sale of the food accrues back to the nonprofit school food service account. Schools can serve the produce as part of a reimbursable meal or sell it a la carte, to parents, to PTA members, at a roadside stand, etc.

16. Starting a School Gardentaken from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/child/school/step.htm • Step 1- Form a Garden Committee • More than a one-man job; form a Garden Committee • Dedicated people to find/train volunteers, research, plan • Look for volunteers among school staff, parents, and locals • Seek help of gardeners/ landscape architects • Next find funds to support garden • Seek awards, grants, and donations from hardware suppliers • Garden is permanent and needs year-round attn

17. Starting a School GardenTaken from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/child/school/step.htm • Step 2: Find Purpose & Objectives for garden • Foods that grow in New England- reinforces social studies, earth science and geography • Garden becomes a teaching aid to children • Kids will understand agriculture/growing • Rely on constant support in growing season; trustees from clubs in school & local volunteers • Kids run business in farmers markets

18. Starting a School Gardentaken from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/child/school/step.htm • Step 3: The role of a lead grower • Schedule each lesson plan- when and what types • Determine which groups of students will be doing what and when, then determine how bed space will be allocated • Chance to schedule specific activities at specific times or assign tasks to volunteers

19. Starting a School Gardentaken from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/child/school/step.htm • Step 4: Define a year-round garden plan • Identify what garden will be like while school is in session • Who will keep garden maintained during school breaks? • How should the garden look on the first day of school? • Year-round garden plan will account for school breaks

20. Starting a School Gardentaken from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/child/school/step.htm • Step 5: Design the garden • Needs ample sunlight • Good drainage • Close proximity to water • Plan for constant attention to garden to keep it up

21. Starting a School Gardentaken from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/child/school/step.htm • Step 6: Build garden according to plan • Teachers, volunteers, students and parents pool resources • Build the garden: permanent addition to the school and community.

22. Current Garden Committee • Volunteered support and advice from: • Sterns Organic Farm, Framingham MA • Kathy Huckins & crew • Hansons Farms, Framingham MA • Tom, Martha and Matt Hanson • Framingham Community Garden Committee • Marion deLaubenfels • Framingham State College • Student intern Raquel Vazquez • Framingham Schools • Students, staff and clubs Join us today!