This week, something truly special happened with the Mountain Sprouts program. We celebrated a major milestone in showing kids just how amazing it can be to grow their own food. Thanks to a generous three-year grant recommended by Kentucky Power through the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation, we’ve been able to take our mission to the next level. This incredible support has allowed us to provide hands-on gardening experiences, cooking lessons, and nutrition education, empowering students with lifelong skills and changing the way they think about healthy eating, one garlic clove at a time.
Last fall, the students planted tiny garlic cloves in their raised garden bed. At the time, they might not have realized what those little cloves would become. Over the summer, while the students were enjoying their break, the garden stayed hard at work. By July, the cloves had transformed into big, beautiful garlic bulbs, ready for their next chapter.With some preservation techniques, we dehydrated and minced the garlic, turning it into powder and small bits that are now ready to use. This fall, the same kids who planted those cloves will use the garlic in cooking classes to create tasty dishes. Watching the process from planting to harvesting to cooking has been an incredible way to teach the rewards of patience, effort, and care.
When the students returned to the garden this November, they weren’t sure what to expect. Most of them thought the colder weather would have ended the garden’s productivity. Imagine their surprise when they stepped outside and found life still thriving!
Here’s what they discovered:
“A tough little tomato plant.”
“Strawberry plants sending out vines.”
“Beans reaching for the fence”.
“Winter squash with animal bites.”
“Basil, the fancy dish decorations.”
The kids were fascinated by these unexpected finds. They sparked all kinds of conversations about how some plants survive cold weather, how seeds can be saved for future seasons, and how nature works in surprising ways. The basil provided a hands-on lesson in seed collection, and the students couldn’t wait to plant those seeds in the spring.
These moments in the garden aren’t just about learning how to grow food, they’re about changing how kids think about it. From getting their hands dirty planting seeds to seeing their efforts turn into something they can eat, the students are learning to appreciate healthy, homegrown options turning the “yucks” into “yums!”
As we explored the garden, the students also learned about the different types of seeds, herbs, fruits, and vegetables, and the unique ways each is collected and stored. From strawberry runners to bean pods, every plant has a story to tell, and each story connects the kids to the broader world of food. By understanding the year-round cycle of a garden, they’re gaining more than just gardening knowledge, they’re building a deeper appreciation for the earth, the care it takes to grow food, and the joy of tasting the results of their hard work.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of the American Electric Power Foundation. Their belief in what we’re doing is going to be a life-changer for these students. This three-year grant will be the cornerstone of our success, ensuring that we can continue empowering the next generation with the skills and knowledge to grow their own food and make healthier lifelong choices.
We’re so grateful for their partnership and excited to see where the Mountain Sprouts program goes from here. There’s still so much to grow, learn, and taste! Stay connected as we continue to teach, inspire, and plant seeds, both in the garden and in the hearts of these amazing kids.
