Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
Parkside Preschool’s Main Center located at 207. E. First Street was recently awarded a garden grant from the Lincoln County Health Department via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Grant monies were used for the purpose of improving access and consumption of fruits and vegetables by Parkside Preschool students, as well as achieving the goals of the Wisconsin Youth Garden Assessment.
“We are so thrilled to have this opportunity!” comments Parkside Director Paula Koelsch.
“Without grant monies such as these, we would not be able to fund existing garden areas or expand the garden education experience for our students. We have been able to add many additional garden vegetables and fruit trees, as well as a pollinator garden, pollinator attracting items, tools to care for the garden and a bird feeding station.
“Our curriculum will follow the gardening season from soil preparation and planting seeds
and plants, to final fall harvest and garden clean up,” Koelsch adds.
“We will be able to learn about the pollination process, as well as study our Northcentral Wisconsin backyard birds first hand! What a special and much appreciated educational opportunity for Parkside students!”
According to Koelsch, soil preparation for the garden began in late May and final harvest is planned for the end of the month.