The partnership grew—literally and
figuratively—when Brookstone moved
to its second location. The Amay James
Avenue school location soon became
home to 16 four-by-six-foot raised
gardening beds, which produced
copious amounts of sweet potatoes,
tomatoes and peppers. visited to teach the kids about how
weather affects the crops. We’ve had
composting experts, butterfly and
insect specialists from Discovery Place,
and a chef from the Johnson & Wales
culinary program who helped us
create recipes for incorporating the
produce into meals.”
“We have had wonderful community
partners engaged with us,” adds Smith.
“Friendship Gardens and Friendship
Trays joined in, and meteorologists Each season a new crop is planted—
sweet potatoes in the fall, root vegeta-
bles in the winter and vine vegetables
in the spring. Smith also introduced
microgreens, planting that is attain-
able whether you have a garden or
just a pot and a windowsill.
“We hope to show the students that
they can grow vegetables virtually
anywhere, from tiny—and inexpensive
—seeds,” says Smith. “The students
learn that tiny seeds grow into micro-
greens like lettuce that are healthy
additions to their diet.”
Now located in Uptown Charlotte,
Brookstone is making use of First
Baptist Church’s Sunday School class-
rooms. From Monday to Friday, 180
students in grades one through five
learn in the classrooms, enjoy the play-
ground, and utilize green space for two
raised beds and a terraced garden.
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