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Short Elementary garden
Posted in on September 10, 2024

Short Elementary garden part of the Eat Well Feel Well program

It’s true – if you eat well, you feel well.  

That’s why Short Elementary fifth grade students broke ground on another garden and nutrition project in Arlington ISD as a part of the Eat Well Feel Well program.  

Implemented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the school is one of 11 Tarrant County campuses selected to participate in the project this year. 

Short Elementary garden“We are so excited to be back in Arlington helping families improve their nutrition through gardening education this year,” said Eat Well Feel Well coordinator Melanie Earley.  “We have returned to Rankin Elementary this year and we have expanded our reach to Key, Short and Goodman elementaries as well.” 

Funded by the Tarrant County American Rescue Plan Act grant, the 10-week program empowers students and their families to grow their own fruits and veggies while adopting healthier lifestyles. 

“We will be teaching students and their families how to maintain a vegetable garden and the nutrition it provides with fun cooking classes,” Earley said. “Families who attend adult classes on these campuses this fall will be receiving a free bag of groceries for every class that they attend, plus we are going to be talking about ways to be more active as a family, portion control, saving at the grocery store and most importantly how to keep food safe.” 

Thanks to the grant, students and staff were equipped with all the necessary tools and materials to begin constructing planter boxes for their soon-to-be lettuce, beans and carrot crops. 

Short Elementary garden“It ties into our science curriculum really nicely,” said Short Elementary principal Betsy Berkebile. “Fifth grade takes the science STAAR test, so we thought they would be a good group to see science hands-on and making those real-world connections.” 

In addition to supporting academics, the Short Elementary garden also fosters greater family engagement. 

“The opportunity for our students and parents to learn about health and nutrition is so exciting,” Berkebile said. “It’s such a wonderful way to get families involved in the community. I can’t wait to see how our garden grows!”