Darrington School Garden
About the Garden Program
The school garden program began in 1998. After a few years of amazing programming, a loss of funding resulted in the greenhouse and garden largely falling out of use. In 2019, GPI began to manage the garden space with the goal of facilitating in-school garden lessons. Thanks to the collaboration of GPI staff, Darrington School District, our partners, and volunteers, students are back in the garden! In the spring of 2024 alone, GPI taught over 100 lessons in the garden reaching 255 elementary students.
Students learn how to grow their own food.
Harvested produce is used in the school kitchen to cook healthy lunches.
Youth grow vegetable starts and flowers for GPI’s annual plant sale.
The garden provides many learning opportunities. In this photo students conduct a soil science experiment.
About the Greenhouse
Our greenhouse was built in 1998 with the help of the U.S. Forest Service and North Counties Family Services. After 20+ years, the greenhouse was in need of repairs. In 2019 GPI began to manage the garden and make improvements to the greenhouse with the help of Washington’s National Park Fund and North Cascades National Park. New paneling and doors were installed and new raised beds were built in the garden. A new greenhouse heater was funded through the Healthy Kids Healthy Schools grant. Now, GPI and Darrington School District are looking to expand the greenhouse and garden space further to better facilitate classes during in-school lessons.
School Garden Supported By
…and a huge thank you to all our greenhouse volunteers!