Mason CD has partnered with HOPE Garden and local schools to create student and faculty-maintained vegetable gardens at Evergreen and Bordeaux Elementary Schools, in addition to the existing HOPE Garden across from Mountain View Elementary.  

School gardens have several benefits, especially for young students:
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• Children who are familiar with growing their own food tend to eat more fruits and vegetables (Bell & Dyment, 2008), and are more inclined to continue healthy eating habits through adulthood (Morris & ZidenbergCherr, 2002).

• A study of third, fourth and fifth graders showed that students participating in a garden program had increased self-understanding, interpersonal skills, and cooperative skills when compared to non-gardening students (Robinson & Zajicek, 2005).

• The American Community Gardening Association attributes community gardens to an increase in home prices for residences near the garden, a reduction in violent and non-violent crime in the neighborhood, and an overall increase in the feeling of safety (2009).

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• More than 50 percent of community gardeners meet national guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake, compared to 25 percent of non-gardeners (Litt, J.S., et al., 2011). 

Community garden at Evergreen Elementary School

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