Soil Builders & Garden Friends
At North Godwin Elementary, the wind whipped around the schoolyard like it was trying to join the lesson—but the Team 21 scholars didn’t mind one bit. Today was all about worms, and not even the brisk breeze could stop the excitement. With magnifying glasses in hand, the class headed straight to the compost worm bin. […]
Aprons, Weather, and Peas: A H.O.P.E.-Filled Day of Learning
The day began in the classroom at Oriole Park Elementary, where students eagerly welcomed the H.O.P.E. Gardens team. Mrs. Smith led a lively lesson from Growing Healthy Habits on how different kinds of weather—like frost, drought, heat, or too much rain—can affect a garden. Students were all ears, recalling facts from past lessons and sharing […]
The Case of the Missing Dressing: A Great Garden Detective Adventure
It was a day full of mystery and flavor as students put on their detective hats for the Great Garden Detective Adventure! Their mission? To solve a recipe mystery and uncover the secret to a delicious, healthy meal. The adventure began with a lesson on the benefits of eating dark leafy greens—especially spinach. Students learned […]
Seeds, Seeds, Seeds, Seeds
By Kathy Bego, Garden Educator Seeds you could peel, pry open, and peer into with magnifying glasses—searching for the tiny leaves and roots hidden inside. Seed diagrams to color in: 🔴 Red for the seed coat 🟢 Green for the embryonic leaf 🟡 Yellow for the cotyledon food pack 🟤 Brown for the root A […]
Dreaming in Green: Godfrey Elementary Students Design Their Own Gardens
The young gardeners at Godfrey Elementary Team 21 after-school program let their imaginations bloom as they designed their very own dream gardens! After an inspiring garden planning presentation by Ms. Angie, students eagerly got to work, armed with paper, vibrant seed catalogs, and plenty of coloring supplies. With their thinking caps on and creativity in […]
Reflecting on 2024 and Growing Together in 2025
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to reflect on a year filled with growth, education, and community impact. This year, HOPE Gardens reached 2,641 students in garden and nutrition classes that inspired young minds and fostered a love for healthy living. From engaging students to hosting workshops and our successful heirloom plant sale, […]
Putting Our Gardens to Sleep for the Winter
As the growing season comes to an end, it’s time to tuck our gardens in for their winter rest. Recent mulch deliveries at North Godwin and Lee Middle helped us prepare the soil for the colder months, ensuring it stays protected and nourished. These two gardens needed a little extra attention, but luckily we had […]
New Fences and Expansions at Four School Gardens
Big things are happening in our school gardens! This fall, four Wyoming school gardens received brand-new fences: Godfrey Early Childhood Center, Godfrey Elementary, Gladiola Elementary, and West Elementary. These additions bring both beauty and functionality to each space, making the gardens even more welcoming and efficient. At Gladiola Elementary and West Elementary, the upgrades didn’t […]
From Soil to Plate: First Graders Discover the Journey of Food
By Angie Bruder, Garden Educator How does food get here? Does it just appear in stores? To answer that question, first graders at West Godwin explored the fascinating journey of cornflakes from soil to plate. Students learned that all foods come from nature, and then many foods are trucked to factories for processing and packaging. […]
H.O.P.E. Gardens Featured in School News Network: Cultivating Community and Learning
This year, H.O.P.E. Gardens was honored to be one of only four organizations in Michigan awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. School News Network visited our schools to learn more about what this grant means for us. Check out their article here.