For the past several years, Rock Point has participated in Farm to School projects. The goal of these activities is to connect students to local farms and involve them in preparing the food they eat so that they can learn about agriculture and nutrition. In our version of the program, led by Gus Buchanan (history teacher), students are involved in harvesting and gleaning through the fall. This year we are working with the Intervale Community Farm and have already done some potato harvesting! In the past, we have gleaned carrots, picked arugula, cut milky oats, and picked purple beans. With each harvest, we make recipes highlighting the local, seasonal ingredients. Students have baked apple pies, pickled beets, and made succotash, just to name a few delicious dishes. Finally, we invite the farmers to come join us for a meal at the school.
In the past two years, we have also developed our own gardens at Rock Point. Some students planted raised beds in the spring and summer session students weeded and harvested through the hotter months. This fall we have had a record harvest with our own gardens and have been enjoying fresh salad greens every day! Kevin Douglas, our chef, has come up with creative ways to incorporate all the produce into our daily meals. In fact, today, we are having a "Garden Lunch" consisting of all Rock Point veggies! The class of 2013 raised funds to build a hoop house and, since the zoning has now gone through, we hope to have it up this year so that we can grow food later into the fall and winter.
This program has become an integral part of what we do at Rock Point. It enhances our science curriculum, helps students connect to the culture and history of Vermont, improves student and staff wellness, and teaches students life skills. Not to mention, it's a lot of fun!
