By Victoria Holloway
Master gardeners Dale Shaw and Delila Ford like to plant seeds not only in the ground but also in young minds.
The two volunteer at Rush Elementary, where they teach gardening to fifth-graders. Shaw started the school’s teaching garden in 2004, shortly after he became a master gardener with the Lubbock Master Gardeners Association.
Students plant mostly vegetables, grains and a few flowers, Shaw said. Art and special needs students also use the garden, which is maintained year-round by the master gardeners volunteers.
Rush Elementary Principal Mary McGann said the garden has taught students to appreciate the land, farming and where food comes from.
“There’s no better science lesson than to have actual, living plants that produce fruits and vegetables,” McGann said.
This story is part of a series by Victoria Holloway about how farming and planting affect the Lubbock community. Look for more stories in the next two months.
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