The Herring Peace Garden is an outdoor learning laboratory designed to educate the whole child and community through hands-on learning that promotes environmental stewardship, character development and healthy lifestyles. OriAll students in grades PreK- 5 participate in gardening and cooking classes on a regular basis through the FEAST program, where they engage with the entire cycle of growing food from seed to harvest to compost. The Herring Peace Garden was created by a dedicated group of parents, teachers and students in 1999 and continues to grow with all of the hard work and love of this dedicated community.

From its inception, those planning and working in the garden have used sustainable gardening and organic, pesticide-free gardening practices. Our garden projects include building an earthen cob-style shed with a rainwater catchment system and living roof, a greenhouse with solar powered ventilation, and a robust compost system that accepts food scraps from community members. We grow a variety of perennial herbs and fruits including blueberries, strawberries, wineberries, pears, figs, pawpaws, apples, cherries and elderberries as well as seasonal vegetables. The garden operates in alignment with seasonal rhythms, the children learn about cycles and interconnections in a very hands-on way. They connect their classroom learning about the four seasons to the growing seasons of different fruits and vegetables. We integrate science by researching and planting cover crops which benefit the soil, rotating crops to maintain healthy soil and nutrient balance, research and plant companion plants and finding the benefits of bees and insects in the garden. The design of the garden models many different methods from raised beds to rows to hugulkultur, the intentional use of perennial trees, shrubs and herbs and companion planting. Integrated into the curriculum are different gardening methods and skills so that all students in the school will leave with the valuable knowledge and practices of gardening.

For more information, join the Herring Peace Garden Facebook Group or contact:

Nicole Salvitti- Gucwa, Herring FEAST Educator: NicoleSG@bountifulcities.org

Lark Stallsmith, Herring Garden Coordinator: Lark@bountifulcities.org