Somers Middle School garden nourishing bodies and minds

Nestled and dormant within the mind’s mulch sat a seed, a potential needing only the correct conditions to sprout. Within this seed were not the conventional items of leaves, stems and roots. Rather it was an idea soon to be cultivated by its creator.

From the cold and snow of last winter sprouted Robin Vogler’s idea, “Feeding yourself is a life skill.”

Vogler, food services director and wellness program coordinator at Somers Middle School, saw an opportunity for the school and the students to grow their own produce.

The school reaps extra rewards by consuming the fruits, or veggies, as is the case of their labors.

“The goal is to connect with the kids about where their food comes from,” Vogler said. “Our gardens are an extension of the classroom.”

Last spring Vogler lead the sixth graders in planting the first seeds of the school garden. The seeds were combined with donated seedlings grown in six newly constructed raised beds on the school’s south lawn.

“We had a real abundance for a first-time garden,” Vogler said, adding that the dedication of two grant-funded summer associates nurtured the tremendous yield.

Vogler received a certification from Produce University, a United States Department of Agriculture training course. By meeting mandated federal and state requirements the food grown at Somers Middle School is safely served at mealtime.

Grant funding for the construction and maintenance of the outdoor garden was received from FoodCorps, a Montana grown organization established in 2006. Vogler said the grant was a “perfect fit” for Somers Middle School and these numbers back her claim.

As October came to an end, Vogler’s idea had manifested a combined total of nearly 400 pounds of zucchini, pumpkin, squash, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes, onions and garlic.

The next phase is year-round gardening with construction under way on an indoor hydroponic garden that when at capacity will contain a rotation of 72 heads of lettuce. Vogler said the kitchen currently serves 36 heads a week, which at one time were mainly of the iceberg variety.

“The kids are really glad to have a variety of lettuces now, especially local greens that are lovely and they also contain a higher nutritional value,” Vogler said.

The construction of the hydroponic shed was made possible through an Innovative Classroom Grant provided by The Plum Creek Foundation. Vogler emphasized the innovative design of the hydroponic system that creates minimal energy use and integrates re-circulatory and gravity flow irrigation as well as skylights permitting passive solar rays.

This idea was a natural one for Vogler who was raised on a hydroponics farm in western Nebraska. Her family also had a grocery store where she learned a model for continuity now being implemented in Somers.

Vogler’s hard work was recently acknowledged by a handwritten note from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer expressing his gratitude, “… for your leadership in bringing local food and healthy eating to the Somers School District.”

From a seed to a garden to a lunch tray, Somers Middle School is growing nutrition that feeds development and education — there is simplicity in good ideas.