West Pender Middle School (WPMS) welcomed an exciting addition to its campus: a raised bed garden, courtesy of the Horticulture Program at Cape Fear Community College (CFCC). The raised bed installation, completed by dedicated college students as part of a service learning initiative, has created new opportunities for WPMS's budding green thumbs. Now equipped with a dedicated space, members of the WPMS Garden Club can cultivate a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
This garden project came to fruition through the collaboration and generosity of many people. In addition to building the first raised bed (with two more on the way), CFCC’s Horticulture Program donated 30 plant starts. The program director, Ken Wells, graciously shared his expertise in the garden planning process. The garden was also generously supported by Wilmington Compost Company as they substantially discounted their soil and covered the delivery fee for WPMS. Lastly, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds donated over 150 packets of a wide variety of seeds. The community's involvement in this project underscores the power of collective action in fostering sustainable initiatives.
Thanks to this collective investment from numerous contributors, WPMS students are already reaping the rewards of hands-on learning in the raised bed garden. They are gaining firsthand knowledge of the entire process of growing produce from start to finish. As students plant seeds and water flowers, the WPMS community is excited to see both the garden and the students flourish!
