Teaching Gardens

In higher education, so much time, money, and energy is invested in the discussion of problems.  While it is necessary to study the reasoning behind why such complex issues continue to exist in every region of the world in every field of study, I feel that not enough attention is given to the individuals and organizations that truly are making concerted efforts to take action and change things for the better.  By not being exposed to optimism and physically seeing the work of people who dedicate their entire lives to truly honest and humble career paths, today’s students become so overwhelmed and disoriented that they become unmotivated by the disheartening reality that seems to consume their entire curriculum.  So far this semester, there have been two occasions that have deeply inspired me to stay on the path that I am on in terms of my field of study.  These occasions were not lectures by esteemed professors or discussions about complex theories about how to solve multifaceted political and environmental problems.  These occasions were rather times when I got to see average Americans living a truly happy life because they chose lifestyles and careers that are genuinely simple and honest.  These people chose not to succumb to the modern American dream of material wealth which, unfortunately, is slyly permeating through the rest of the world.  These people simply walked their talk of living simply.  After these experiences, I felt a sense of physical and spiritual motivation come over my body. 

The first occasion was when our anthropology class visited Kevin Vacarello’s home and restaurant in Waimanalo.   I have written about this in a previous blog for this class.  The next occasion was this past weekend at Hickam Elementary School at Hickam Air Force Base here on Oahu.  I had the honor of being invited by one of my environmental science professors to volunteer and represent the Sierra Club in this two day event.  The event was hosted by the American Heart Association’s Teaching Gardens.  This newly formed organization travels around the country planting substantially sized organic raised bed gardens at elementary schools located in concrete jungles and military bases.  The main mission of the teaching garden projects is to promote healthy lifestyles amongst impoverished youth from minority neighborhoods and military children who are constantly moving from base to base.  These children are comparatively more disconnected from the natural environment than most of today’s youth.  One of the members of the organization told me that some young children of inner city LA have admitted to never seeing a tree.  I found this almost hard to believe.

In having the kids build these gardens, not only are they given the opportunity to learn what a healthy diet consists of, they can, in a sense, develop some sort of connection with the earth as they touch the soil and watch how their little seeds turn into strawberries, oregano, and carrots.  Growing up in a rural community deep in the mountains of Colorado, my friends and I lived in the dirt.  Until this weekend, I had never before seen children afraid of touching dirt and getting their shirts dirty.  Thankfully, once they started, they couldn’t stop!  A lasting impression can be made in a child by simply having the day-to-day exposure to food growing during their elementary education. 

Often, the attention span of young people is short, but modern curriculums continue to combat this fact by forcing students to sacrifice a recess for more times-tables.  The curriculum is counterintuitive.  However with active learning of the teaching gardens, students can physically take part in learning how to grow their own, healthy food.  As an adult college student, I felt I even learn more and naturally retain the information about sustainable agriculture during my involvement in the HPU garden and this project better than I do while attending semester-long lectures.  During interactive learning, students feel like they are able to make a tangible difference in the community.  They know what they are doing is right because they are still so sensitive to what is truly pono.  This sensitivity enlivens them and gives not just one, but every single student the most apparent passion to continue and expand their project.  It is so simple and so feasible, especially in a tropical region like Hawaii.  I am so thankful I got these opportunities.