Community Education program brochures Metro North ABE - Consortium newsletter, Fall 2017 | Page 2

Metro North ABE Outdoors
ABE students visit a local edible garden
By Laura Moyer, ESL teacher at Columbia Heights Adult Education Center
“Did you try the tomatillo?" I asked one of my Level 3 ESL students. "No,” she says, “I only try the tomato, I do not know
about tomatillos." I turn to one of my Hispanic students and ask them if they like the tomatillo, and they tell me that of course
they like it. "I think we will have to have Maria and Nancy teach
us how to fix the tomatillo," I say to my other student, as Maya
Lemon, Blooming Heights Community Garden Agricultural
Specialist, continues to cut up cucumbers, broccoli, tomatoes,
and more tomatillos for students to taste.
The Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard and Outdoor Class-
room exists to support academic achievement and promote
healthy nutrition for students in Columbia Heights Public
Schools (Blooming Heights website). In preparation for their
visit to Blooming Heights, Metro North Adult Basic Education
students read about plant parts, discussed the fruits and vegeta-
bles that grow in their countries, and talked about the fact that
the growing season in most of their home countries lasts all year
in contrast to the very short Minnesota growing season.
On August 15th, both the morning and evening ESL Level 3 classes had the opportunity to board a bus and visit Blooming
Heights Edible Schoolyard and Outdoor Classroom in Columbia Heights. Once there, Maya Lemon told the students about the
garden and the different vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers grown there. She then gave the students a scavenger hunt in-
structing them to walk around the garden and find the plants that were on their lists. As students completed the scavenger hunt,
Ms. Lemon gave out samples of the garden's produce for students to try, taught the students about the growing season in Min-
nesota, and gave them some tips on how they could begin planting their own gardens.
Students and teachers thought that the field trip was an educational, valuable experience and look forward to ways in which
they can continue to partner with Blooming Heights. Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard is located at 1440 49th Ave. NE,
Columbia Heights.
About Metro North ABE Location Supervisors & Site Coordinators
Our mission is to inspire and
challenge all learners to
reach their full potential. In a
safe, supportive environment,
we will teach the skills
needed to succeed as re-
sponsible citizens in our
changing world. Pat Adams: Community Education Asst. Manager, Anoka-Hennepin
Our vision is to provide
programs that effectively
develop the skills needed by
individuals to achieve their
goals.
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METRO NORTH ABE CONSORTIUM
Tammi Bernard: Site Coordinator, St. Francis
Patrick Hobot: Supervisor, Anoka sites & GED® testing
Molly Liberto: Supervisor, Blaine
Kathleen Moriarty: Supervisor, Columbia Heights/Fridley &
Brooklyn Center
Pam Moriarity: Site Coordinator, Elk River
Cori Sendl: Director of Community Education, Centennial