Did you know the largest tomato ever grown weighed a whopping 11.65 pounds? While we didn’t quite match that record this year, our school gardens were overflowing with big smiles, big discoveries, and big memories all summer long.
This summer H.O.P.E. Gardens brought hands-on gardening and nutrition education to students and families across Wyoming Public Schools, Godfrey Lee, and Godwin Heights.
Family Gardening at Wyoming Public Schools
For 11 weeks, families joined us in their elementary school gardens to explore a new fruit or vegetable—thanks to the Michigan Harvest to Table program, provided by SNAP-Ed. Fun facts, fascinating history, and taste tests helped bring each week’s harvest to life. Themed crafts and games sparked creativity, while time in the garden gave students the chance to plant seeds, tend to crops, and harvest fresh produce. We’re grateful to Chartwells for providing free lunches for all students 18 and under—and for including the week’s featured fruit or vegetable in each meal, connecting the garden to the plate in the most delicious way possible.
Team 21 Programs in Godfrey Lee and Godwin Heights
For 6 weeks, H.O.P.E. Gardens brought the joy of gardening and healthy eating to six Team 21 summer programs. Each week, students explored a different fruit or vegetable, just like in the Family Gardening program, through themed crafts, hands-on planting, and harvesting. The gardens became outdoor classrooms where students learned not just how plants grow, but how fresh foods fuel healthy bodies.
Across all programs, the school gardens grew far more than fruits and vegetables—they grew curiosity, confidence, and connection. Students learned where their food comes from, gained new skills, and discovered that healthy eating can be both fun and delicious.
This summer was proof that when you plant seeds—both in the soil and in young minds—amazing things can grow. 🌱