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Good Food Project Garden Newsletter
March 2016 Sprout
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GFP's Growing Partnership with LaSalle Parish Schools
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LaSalle Schools establishing gardens this spring: Goodpine Middle School, Jena High, and Jena Elementary
A chance conversation between GFP Grants Manager, Barbara Karz-Wagman and LaSalle Parish Child Nutrition Supervisor, Kelley Thompson back in early November 2015 has led to an outstanding partnership between our two organizations. Thompson's enthusiasm for her work and the well-being of LaSalle Parish students was evident as she quickly declared, "Let's set a meeting!"
A GFP trip to Jena to meet Kelley, with site visits at two of the schools and introductions to phenomenal school staff, including Charlene Richard, Ethel Smith, Jenene Bignar, and Kristi Poole truly opened the door for this partnership. An agreement was reached for GFP to install school gardens at four LaSalle Parish schools including Goodpine Middle School in Trout, Jena Elementary, Jena High School, and Olla Elementary.
The unpredictable weather of early 2016 and logistical woes delayed installations until this month. Goodpine Middle was the first to be installed; sponsor, Chasity Sherrill, has a clear vision for her school's garden. It will include a strong sensory aspect that begins with special walkways to lead students to various stations. The sounds of music created by the children will fill the air, water and sand features will provide tactile experiences, and herbs like rosemary and thyme will be grown to afford them olfactory experiences. Vermiculture will be included so the school's third-fifth graders will be able to view nature's little rototillers at work. GFP will be able to fulfill Mrs. Sherrill's vision thanks to a generous donation from Don Carlson of Connecticut as a dedication to his daughter, Katie, and her boyfriend, Sebastian Grandas in honor of their work and strong commitment to sustainable farming. It is very exciting to think that the work being done by Good Food Project and its partners has inspired folks from all over the United States!
Jena Elementary's raised beds are on site and have been planted. Raised beds and compost have been delivered to Jena High School and under the leadership of teacher, Russell Dorton , students will place and fill the beds on their garden site. GFP will be back in LaSalle Parish on April 4th to install Olla Elementary and to bring more transplants and seeds to each school.
GFP looks forward to a long and successful partnership with these schools and is grateful for the show of support from LaSalle Parish staff, students, and families.
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| "Big Hit" Spring Salad
Did you know?
- Leafy greens have lots of vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene, and disease-fighting phytochemicals
- They are rich in fiber. Fiber can lower cholesterol and blood pressure and help to temper blood-sugar swings
- Leafy greens contain a high amount of water that keeps you hydrated and contributes to good skin and hair
- Leafy greens include some of the following: collards, kale, leaf lettuce (red and green), Swiss chard, butter lettuce, romaine, and spinach
Ingredients: 16 Ounces leafy greens 8 Ounces baby spinach 2 Cups shredded carrots 3/4-1 Cup grape tomatoes 1 Cup sliced mushrooms (any variety) 1/2 Cup chopped green onions 1 1/2 Cups shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese 1/4-1/2 Cup chopped green onions 3 Hard boiled eggs, sliced Dressing: 1 Package ranch dressing mix 1 Cup low-fat plain yogurt or low-fat mayonnaise 1 Cup skim milk Combine ranch mix, yogurt or mayo and milk, in a container with a lid, shake thoroughly, allow to stand for 30 minutes before serving Directions: In a 13X9" container, layer greens and spinach, then carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, green onions, and then top with a light sprinkling of shredded cheese before placing sliced boiled eggs on top as garnish. Serve with dressing |
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| In March plant:
- Beans, Snap, Bush, Pole
- Cantaloupes
- Chard, Swiss
- Collards
- Corn, Sweet
- Cucumber
- Eggplant (Seed)
- Eggplant (Plants)
- Kohlrabi
- Mustard Greens
- Okra
- Peas, Southern
- Pepper, Hot (Seed)
- Pepper, Hot (Plants)
- Pepper, Bell (Plants)
- Radishes
- Summer Squash
- Tomatoes (Seed)
- Tomatoes (Plant)
- Watermelons
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In April plant:
- Beans, Snap, Bush, Pole
- Cantaloupes
- Chard, Swiss
- Collards
- Corn, Sweet
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant (Seed)
- Eggplant (Plants)
- Okra
- Peanuts
- Peas, Southern
- Pepper, Hot (Seed)
- Pepper, Hot (Plants)
- Pepper, Bell (Plants)
- Potatoes, Sweet
- Pumpkin
- Summer Squash
- Tomatoes (Seed)
- Tomatoes (Plant)
- Watermelons
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 Chasity Sherrill at Goodpine Middle School - Trout, La. planting sweet bell peppers with her students |
Good Food Project would like to sincerely thank
Mantis Lawn & Garden Products for donating a portable
Mantis 4-Cycle Plus Tiller
to our sustainable gardening program.
GFP Garden Assistant, Dellen Ross using our new Mantis Tiller
For more information about how you can make a tax deductible donation to Good Food Project, contact us at
[email protected] or call 318-445-2773
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| You are invited to join us at the GFP demonstration garden on Workday Wednesdays. In the garden, you will experience learning to grow food in a sustainable, organic way, while getting an opportunity to meet new people, and to help those in need in the community. If you, your organization, or work place would like to be involved, please give us a call. We would love to hear from you!
Each Wednesday from 7:30-11:30 AM all adults and children are invited to come out for a fun day of learning and giving back to the community. Let's grow together! Learn more.
If Wednesdays aren't good for you, call us to set up another volunteer day! 318-445-2773
 Volunteers, Diane Tracy of Amerihealth Caritas and Grace Christian School students helping process fresh produce on Workday Wednesday |
| Garden Tip: Looking for a fast way to dry herbs? Lay a single sheet of newspaper on your car seat. Arrange your favorite herbs in a single layer. Roll up the windows and let nature take its course!
Alexandria Senior High Consumer Science students making veggie pizzas with GFP - Thanks for the invitation CS teacher, Rachael Baldwin!
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Shout Out to Our Fantastic Partners Across Central Louisiana
Alexandria Farmers Market/First United Methodist Church-Alexandria, Boys and Girls Club of El Camino Real-Natchitoches, Horseshoe Drive Elementary, L.S. Rugg Elementary, North Alexandria Community Garden. Colfax Housing Authority/DART Kugichagulia Community Garden Good Food Project would like to take this time to thank our wonderful partners throughout the eleven parish service region of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Through our combined efforts GFP hopes to continue reconnecting people to the food they eat, to teach children and adults about good nutrition and sustainable gardening practices. It has been a pleasure to work with you all; we look forward to a long and successful partnership with each of you!
| School Gardens |
Community Gardens |
Satellite Gardens |
| Alexandria Middle Magnet
Alma Redwine Elementary
Arthur F. Smith Middle School
Brame Middle School
Fairview High School
Goodpine Middle School
Hadnot-Hayes Elementary
Horseshoe Drive Elementary
Jena Elementary
Jena High School
L. S. Rugg Elementary
Mabel Brasher Elementary
Martin Park Elementary
North Bayou Rapides Elementary
Oakdale School-Based Health Center
Oberlin Elementary
Olla Elementary**
Phoenix Academic Magnet
Pineville Elementary
Pineville High School
St. Anthony School Ruby Wise Elementary**
Tioga Elementary |
Alexandria Housing Authority Community Garden
Alexandria Farmers Market/First United Methodist Church-Alexandria
Bailey House Garden
Ball Senior Citizens Center**
Bayou Vista Garden Canterbury House**
Christian Love Baptist Church Senior Citizens Center Garden Colfax Council on Aging**
Colfax Housing Authority/DART-Kugichagulia Community Garden
Eugene Warner Neighborhood Garden
Evergreen Presbyterian Country Club Group Home Garden
First United Methodist
Youth Garden
Friendship House Garden
Fort Polk Spouses Club Garden**
Garden District Community Garden
Jena's Vision Community Garden
Save the Children Main Office Garden
Save the Children Lakeview Head Start Garden
LeCompte Senior Citizens Center Garden
Leesville Main Street Market Garden
Oak Haven Garden Pinegrove Apartments**
Rapides Senior Citizens Center - Sieper Garden
Taylor House Garden**
T.R.E.E. House Children's Museum Garden
VOA Group Home Garden
Zion Hill Health Ministries Garden
** To be installed ASAP |
Boys and Girls Club of El Camino Real - Natchitoches Garden
City of Alexandria Holiday Youth Camp-Sylvester Street Garden
Hope House of Central Louisiana Garden
North Alexandria Community Garden
Pineville Youth Center Garden
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GFP welcomes individual and organizational volunteers at our community gardens and at the Good Food Project on Wednesday mornings in the demonstration garden, 3223 Baldwin Avenue - Food Bank of Central Louisiana 71301 - 318-445-2773
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