Ag students get their hands dirty

By Sandy Morris

As the temperatures begin to warm up, local gardeners are anxious to get their hands in the dirt and get plants in the ground.

Albany High School ag students have the same itch and recently began work on their yearly spring garden.

AHS ag teacher Chris Beard said students have been tilling and weeding the ag department’s plot of land in preparation for a garden.

“We got the first part of the garden ready, and then we planted onions and potatoes,” said Beard. “We have plans to put in okra, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, peas, bush beans, cantaloupe, watermelon, corn and radishes.”

Beard said the garden gives the students a chance to get out of the classroom and experience outdoor, hands-on learning. 

“We had to build a new fence before we started working on the garden,” Beard said. “Once the kids finished that project, they were able to begin tilling and raking the ground. This is all about teaching the students to be good stewards of the land.”

While the students have a long list of plants they are ready to get in the ground, Beard said it’s still early based on the Farmer’s Almanac planting schedule.

“We still have a few weeks to a month before we will actually be ready to get everything planted,” said Beard. 

Once everything is in the ground, the students will water, weed, and gather the produce, with some students continuing to help Beard with the garden during the summer. 

“We try to donate our harvest to people in need or to Vittles by Vehicle,” said Beard. “We will also give vegetables to anyone who wants fresh produce.”

Any local resident who would like vegetables from the garden can contact any ag student or Beard at AHS.