The EAST Students Community Garden is a collaborative initiative located on our school campus. The project was developed in response to a growing need for sustainable, hands-on learning opportunities that not only teach students valuable life skills but also provide a direct benefit to the local community. Many of our students expressed interest in environmental sustainability, food equity, and community involvement—but lacked access to real-world opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom.
Problem and Purpose
Our school community, like many others, is situated in an area where access to fresh produce is limited for some families. At the same time, many students are unaware of where their food comes from or how to grow it themselves. The community garden was created to address these issues—serving as a learning space for students, a source of fresh vegetables and herbs, and a hub for community engagement.
By growing our own produce, we help reduce our carbon footprint, promote healthy eating, and create a more connected campus culture. We are also working to donate a portion of our harvest to local food pantries, school cafeterias, or families in need.
Technology and Tools
Although gardening is often associated with hands-on manual work, our project incorporates several technologies and tools that make the process smarter and more efficient:
Digital design software (SketchUp) to plan the layout of garden beds.
Photography and video to capture aerial views of the garden’s progress over time.
These tools make our garden both innovative and educational, blending agriculture with modern STEM skills.
How the Project Fills the CART
Critical Thinking: Students must research plant types, create planting schedules, and analyze data from sensors.
Advanced: The integration of technology, such as automation and data tracking, brings an advanced layer of learning to traditional gardening.
Relevant: The project ties into real-world concerns—food insecurity, sustainability, and community service—making it meaningful to students and residents alike.
Teamwork: This project involves collaboration between students, teachers, community members, and local organizations, making teamwork a core component.
What Makes the Project Unique?
Unlike many other school gardens, this one is deeply integrated with both technology and community service. It's not just a science or agriculture project—it's a cross-disciplinary initiative involving science, tech, engineering, art, and even marketing and communication. The project also offers leadership opportunities through student-led committees managing everything from plant care to public outreach.
Community Partner Involvement
We’ve partnered with the Rural Community Alliance, a local organization specializing in offering access to an excellent education, economic opportunity, and rewarding quality of life to all residents. They provided us with tools, soil, seedlings, and expert advice on how to maintain a healthy, productive garden. Their point of contact is Candace Williams.
We have also partnered with the Arkansas Environmental Education Association. they provided 6 raised garden beds, two water hoses, gloves, and seedlings. We've partnered with Mrs. Carolyn Prowell who is a resident of the community and she works for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. She provides awesome guidance and expertise.
Their support has been critical to the success of this project, and we’re proud to highlight them as a trusted community partner.
Project Timeline
The EAST Students Community Garden was launched in September 2025, with the first planting occurring on September 26, 2025. The garden is designed to be a year-round, ongoing initiative, with different crops planted seasonally and new improvements added each semester. While the foundational garden beds are already in place, we will continue to enhance the garden as grounds for opportunities continue to increase.
Social Media Promotion
Yes, we have promoted the project on our school and EAST program Facebook platform.