Leggee Elementary School gets money for garden

For students at Leggee Elementary School, learning about the life cycle of plants and vegetables will soon include a hands-on component.

The school in Huntley was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from Lowe's, the home improvement chain, to plant a vegetable garden and flower beds to use as an outdoor classroom.

First-grade teacher, Lisa Kunde — who also leads the school's recycling program — submitted the grant application earlier this school year.

“I was trying to think of interesting ideas to push recycling and going green at the school,” Kunde said. “Because of the budget constraints I was told I could do whatever I wanted if I found the money. And I found the money.”

Leggee was one of 18 schools in the state to receive funding through the company's Toolbox for Education grant program. Lowe's gave away more than more than 480 grants to schools or parents organizations for parents-initiated school improvement projects benefiting public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade across the country.

Kunde said the plan would be to start with a small garden next spring that students could care for.

“The younger grades learn by doing and really enjoy the hands-on experience,” Kunde said. “I hope this deepens their understanding and motivates them to do some gardening at home after they see what can be produced. And what kid doesn't like playing in the dirt?”

Classes would rotate duties in the garden. During the summer, the school would look to parents and volunteers to maintain the garden and vegetable patch.

“I think this will add value to the school grounds as an educational tool,” Leggee Elementary School Principal Scott Iddings said. “We can incorporate our school grounds as a learning resource, instead of a once-a-year field trip to a farm.”

Plant units are taught to a number of grades, and Iddings said students could also learn about current and historical farming practices in the area.