edible schoolyard
HOT HOUSE
A Carson City garden project
aims to teach children well.
WRITTEN BY TERESA MOIOLA
PHOTO BY NICHOLETTE CODDING
Culinary Arts Director Penny Reynolds dreams of a year-round supply of fresh leafy greens for her Carson High School culinary program (see related story on page 20). It’s a dream coming to fruition as The Greenhouse Project, a community-based greenhouse and garden, takes root in Carson City.
Located on the Carson High campus, the project aims to provide educational and vocational opportunities for students, youth groups, and special needs individuals in a garden setting. It’s hoped the greenhouse also will serve as a year-round source of locally grown agricultural and horticultural products for the Carson City community. As childhood obesity reaches epidemic proportions, teaching kids early about food production and preparation may well be an ounce of prevention.
PLANTING THE SEED
The project is the brainchild of Karen Abowd. Though best known as co-owner of Adele’s Restaurant (along with husband Charlie), it was her role as a Carson City Cultural Commission member that propelled her into the position of Greenhouse Action Group chairwoman.
“I originally envisioned a concept of producing hanging flower baskets for Carson City’s downtown business district,” Abowd says. “The idea just exploded from there and grew to incorporate plans for a greenhouse that would grow healthy food for people in need and teach kids about growing their own food and eating healthy.”
TAKING ROOT
The greenhouse will serve as a teaching facility for hands-on training programs that emphasize environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and academic achievement. Through these programs, students will cultivate and distribute vegetables for school culinary classes and local food banks and will produce flower baskets for the downtown Carson City corridor.
FROM THE GROUND UP
“Today’s kids have no clue where food comes from,” Reynolds says. “They think it comes from the grocery store.”
Abowd agrees, and sees the project as being more than about food. “I want these students to be engaged in their community, develop business skills that can take them beyond the classroom, and be a part of making local schools better,” Abowd says.
FULL BLOOM
According to official project plans, The Greenhouse Project has the potential to grow and distribute 4,500 pounds of produce annually.With local food banks and low-income individuals receiving 90 percent of the production, the project will provide nutritious, locally grown vegetables to people in need. Plans call for the remaining produce to be donated to the Carson High School culinary program to ensure the culinary students have a steady source of seasonal vegetables year-round.
At least 200 students are expected to participate in The Greenhouse Project’s programs, beginning with high school students. Then grade school, middle school, andWestern Nevada College students will become involved.
For details about or to contribute to the project, visit Carsoncitygreenhouse.org or e-mail Karenabowd@msn.com. Teresa Moiola is a marketing and public relations professional who promotes Nevada’s culture and heritage. She shares her experiences with life after bariatric surgery on Beyondbariatric.wordpress.com. An avid home cook, she writes vegetarian recipes and dabbles in mixology.
