Leonardo Chalupowicz is a founder of EnrichLA. He is a member of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, and a regular volunteer at Micheltorena Elementary School Garden. Leonardo is responsible for the beautiful garden plans that are made for new school gardens!
Leonardo is an AIA, LEED AP architect. Learn more at his website: www.chalupowicz.com
Today we visited EnrichLA’s beautiful edible and native learning garden at Atwater Elementary with an observation hive to discus all about bees with three classes. EnrichLA volunteer extraordinaire Kelly Burke, the garden head stewart, had shown the kids the film “the Vanishing of the bees” a few weeks ago, so I was very pleased to see how well versed they were on all things bee, and why is important to respect and encourage them. And what they did not know they certainly asked; the questions were intelligent and the comments insightful.
With me were Sarah Leone of Homegirl Cafe and fellow Master Gardener in training and permaculturist Aaron Murphy, a new urban beekeeper who caught his own swarm!. We took turns to teach each of the three classes which made it doubly rewarding ; the kids learned and the community participated. Visiting was also Marisa Rodriguez another amazing EnrichLA volunteer and Master Gardener in training.
By discussing bees we touched on biology, science, nature & geometry, plus how to keep bees – we had the always popular observation hive and the tools of the trade – and why working together towards a goal – like bees - is important, and the delights of sharing with, listening to and respecting our classmates. And of course we had a taste of delicious locally produced – Silver Lake – all natural organic honey.
An to boot on the way out other teachers and administrators wanted to know all about it as well. Would you like to? Visit local group Backwards Beekeepers.
Bee well, Leonardo
Boy, the kids love the garden! Today during their recess time, the students poured into the garden and worked/played with a big pile of beautiful oak mulch delivered for free to the garden by J&T Tree Co. The kids were pure physical activity as they mounted the pile, shoveled mulch into wheelbarrows and distributed the mulch through the garden paths. Ah, did I mention that the slightly acidic oak mulch is really great for our very alkaline southern California soils?
We also experimented with using a pot filled with water (olla) to slowly water, though the small holes at the bottom of the pot, the tree planted inside the red bag donated by Project Food LA. We also mulched the tree base to help preserve soil humidity.
EnrichLA brings together Markham Middle School’s students, teachers, and community members with Downtown Magnets High School’s students, teachers, the Principal and parents for a day of garden beautification at Markham’s Edible Garden in Watts commemorating Martin Luther King Day of Service.
After weeding and mulching all morning, the hard working group enjoyed lunch and conversation, and back to work for a while before going home feeling happy and accomplished for having given up part of their day off for the good of all.
And, after experiencing the beautiful garden spearheaded by EnrichLA at Markham, Downtown Magnets High School wants one too!
This effort exemplifies why EnrichLA believes in installing edible gardens in our schools = cooperation, community, good deeds, new friendships, strong work ethics, exercise, earth stewardship, healthy eating habits.
Making room for the upcoming school urban forest with shade trees and native plants, sitting areas, reading garden and a fountain.
Making room for a new edible garden, new trees, vines and ground cover adding about 4,000 sq.ft. of permeable surface to the urban school, Phase 1 of campus greening, a partnership of LAUSD’s Facilities and Office of Sustainability, School Principal and Community members, the Downtown LA Neighborhood Council, Tree People and EnrichLA.
Please check our Volunteer page for upcoming Build and Plant Day in March 2011.
Under the skilled leadership of founder Tomás O’Grady, EnrichLA brings together community organizations, community members, teachers, administrators, students and the faithful volunteers who participate in all events, to transform an empty weedy plot into a vegetable/fruit/native plant FARM at Markham Middle School in Watts, where students and community members will be exposed to the experience of growing food, exercising while working the gardens, prepping the food plus science and art in an outdoor setting. BRAVO!
Class after class, the kids from West Vernon ES came by the garden to pull weeds and tend the plants, while EnrichLA’s members Tomas, Kelly and Leonardo aided by teachers and administrators worked on getting the new tables ready for a dedication of the garden in memory of Ms.Shelley Saunders, the teacher who unfortunately passed right after the garden volunteer build day last October.
We met Shelley at the build where she worked very hard and led the kids in seed planting; it was clear she was ready to become the garden’s biggest champion. Now her memory will bless the garden for many years to come.
EnrichLA’s curriculum aims to take our mission of a garden in every school a step further by implementing our Garden Stewardship Program, “THE GARDEN CLUB”at campuses with EnrichLA gardens and other school gardens.
Because EnrichLA creates an oasis in the midst of the concrete jungle that is LA – and gives students the opportunity to grow their own food – the Garden Stewardship Program focuses on the importance of sustainability and healthy eating habits in our lives. The Garden Stewardship Program will continue to inspire students, teachers, administrators, and parents; and, through them the community at large, deepening a sense of pride and ownership in their physical environment, while stressing the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
Belonging to “THE GARDEN CLUB” exposes kids to the opportunity to experience education in an outdoor setting while having fun and becoming part of a team.
The outdoor classroom is given local focus, tangible results, and involvement in inquiry-based education that can take place at each child’s own speed. Lessons are developed around six key principles, each one with specific learning objectives:
Gardening
Soil building, seeding, planting, watering, harvesting, composting, worm farming
Environmental Stewardship
Respect for all living creatures and systems, responsible use of resources, recycle/reuse/reduce
Health and Nutrition
Gardening as exercise, local/fresh/seasonal/organic vs. processed foods, simple cooking classes
Art
Painting, photographing and sculpting in nature, recycled nature and trash projects
Outdoor Science Classroom
Work with teachers to supplement LAUSD’s current learning objectives at the specific grade level
Team and Community Building
Student to student mentorship, parent involvement, community volunteer projects
Would you like to bring “THE GARDEN CLUB” to your school day or as an after school program?
Leonardo Chalupowicz leonardo@enrichla.org 213-448-6210
Click here to see the downloadable flyer THE GARDEN CLUB
The kids that attend HOLA ‘s Art after school program and their teachers Nara and Patricia visited Micheltorena Garden yesterday. They were very interested in knowing how to grow food in an urban setting, composting and warm farming, be water wise, solar energy and community involvement in the garden.
After a quick talk and a tour of the garden discovering all the varieties that grow there and a taste test of some herbs, the kids proceeded to draw and photograph around the garden for their upcoming art show on food.
A great inspiring visit!
Micheltorena garden shed gets a makeover just in time for this Saturday’s Halloween Big Pumpkin Festival. 10/29/2011 from 10-5
Thank you to EVERYONE that helped make the garden build at John Adams Middle School possible last Saturday. We could not have done it without your support, encouragement and kindness.
New sprinkler drip system at the garden!
Kids are getting ready to paint the garden signs with flower, fruit and vegetable names.
The ground has been leveled and we will soon be able to put our raised garden beds in!
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project! We are making changes!
Today, led by volunteer extraordinaire Aaron Murphy (from the Echo Park Time Bank) we installed the solar panels (which connect to batteries and converters) atop the garden shed we built last week. The shed will hold garden tools, collect rain water into barrels and garner the sun’s rays to power the irrigation timer, lights, music, tools and appliances.
It has been a very rewarding project and I hope it can be replicated in other gardens as well. What a great learning tool for the school + a demonstration tool for the community = we did it, you can do it too!
Solar system was purchased with a grant from Council President Eric Garcetti. Shed was funded with a portion of a grant by the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council.
We want to sincerely thank EVERYONE who helped us surpass our Kickstarter goal to raise $2000 for the new garden at John Adams Middle School! We couldnt have done it without you!
When you told your friends, shared the link, RTd our tweets, or donated yourself, YOU helped us raise the funds that will now go DIRECTLY toward building this new garden.
I am not surprised at how generous our volunteers and friends have been; if you have ever been to an EnrichLA garden to see the volunteers working, or at a garden build day to see everyone coming together for a greater good, you would not be surprised either! We encounter so many selfless, kind and generous people each day through the work that we do.
The work is never done, and if you would like to join us at the John Adams Middle School garden build day, or for other future events, visit our volunteer page HERE.
Photo courtesy of Celeste Holmes
The beautiful day was matched with a wonderful group. These hard-working individuals made huge progress at the Markham Farm. They started by removing the knee-high weed and then sheet mulched the area to prevent them from coming back. What a productive day. Thanks, Next Steps!
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Students in the summer program had a little workday to plant seedlings, clear out some winter veggies and harvest some of that delicious food that’s growing. Fridays’s June gloom morning was surprising to us. By noon though we were quite warm! Thankfully, the garden didn’t seem to be bothered by the unpredictable weather…
AAA Shred-A-Thon Auto Club Shreds! Reduce your risk of identity theft with help from the Auto Club and ProtectMyID™. On Saturday, June 29 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., the Auto Club will host a free Shred-a-Thon event in the parking lot of Angel Stadium. Both Auto Club members and nonmembers are invited to bring up to…
The garden at Atwater did so well this year, thanks to the help of all the students, that we were able to make a big snack with lots of ingredients picked fresh from the garden. We made a delicious salsa with cabbage, oregano, onions, basil, and green pepper picked fresh on the last day of…
What a day, what a day! The wonderful volunteers from Next Step Ministries did an amazing job helping finish the habitat at El Sereno Middle School. After hours of heavy lifting the creek bed was completely transformed. Look at their beautiful work! The even added native and drought tolerant plants which added a nice colorful…
Two lucky Markham students won a bag full of healthy snacks each in our Enrich LA and Markham raffle; compliments of the local Food 4 Less in Watts. They were among several students who volunteered their own time over the past semester to come and help on Saturday mornings with garden maintenance. Congratulations John and…
This week, the Woodlawn Woodchucks carefully harvested these delicious and healthy foods. In a matter of seconds, the pile of produce was gone and students’ backpacks were filled with nutritious snacks. We even did a second harvest after school so everyone was able to take something home!
We weren’t too hard-working in the garden this week. It was the second-to-last day of school so it makes sense. We did, however, look at all of the beautiful produce that was ready to be harvested. We also stumbled upon this beauty. We used it in our breakfast stir fry! Those lovely butternut squash just…
The garden at Bryson Avenue Elementary has been soaking up the SoCal sun and using it to grow. Students were ecstatic to learn that underneath that beautiful soil there were many yummy treats. Some of the “tops” were a bit confusing to identify so we explored the garden to learn about what was growing. Can…
Created by AcademicEarth.org Created by AcademicEarth.org
The last week of school brings a great deal of excitment for students and the school community. Today marked the last day of classes in the garden before summer so we did a lot of necessary harvesting. We ran out of time or there would be more to add to the table! Students were in…
Kinder students had fun hand watering the garden every few days for the past couple of weeks. Their help really paid off, as can be seen in all the flowers that are coming into bloom in the garden. The artichoke is doing great. The lion’s tail is in full bloom. And the bells of…
Students at 6th Ave Elementary School waited patiently for the seeds to germinate and the seedlings to mature. Many tasty treats were ready to be harvested. On Friday, students and their parents picked tomatoes, basil, eggplant, chard and much much more! Here’s one of the cucumbers just before it was picked. The sliced it up…
We welcomed the month of June by celebrating the health benefits of school gardens. Students and their families joined at Synergy Charter & Quincy Jones Elementary School to enjoy the culture of Jazz music but also to learn how to live a healthy life. We partnered with the school to handout seedlings to students and…
Friday marked the official opening of the Wilshire Park Elementary School Garden. Attendees included the school community, Whole Foods, Whole Kids Foundation, FoxGives and Monica Garcia’s office. It showed what is possible when people work together. Special thanks to Whole Foods Market, Whole Kids Foundation and FoxGives for their contributions. We couldn’t have done it…
