Page 20 - TTMNFallWinter2025

Agriculture
Page 20 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard and Outdoor Classroom

of annual vegetables we also grow many peren-
nial fruits: raspberries, strawberries, hardy kiwi,
juneberries, honeyberries, gooseberries and cur-
rants. There is a small orchard with apple, pear,
cherry and plum trees, as well as a pergola with
hardy grapevines. We also maintain a pollinator
garden filled with native wildflowers and tend a
small rain garden.
Who uses the garden?
Programming at Blooming Heights
includes learners from all ages from the Early
Childhood Family Education program to stu-
dents in grades K-12 and extending into adult
enrichment classes. Students in our district start This summer, our Adventure Club
seeds in early spring using grow labs in their and Mini Adventures programs spent some
classrooms and transplant the seedlings outdoors time with Erin Rupp from Pollinate MN to
before the end of the school year. learn all about bees! Students checked out
Student involvement is integral to the a hive, learned how to find the queen bee,
upkeep of the garden and they help with plant- got to put on a bee keeper outfit and tried
ing, weeding, watering, and harvesting. During some honey!
the summer, our High School Summer Assis- Check out our Facebook page www.
High school volunteers making flower bouquets and harvesting ginger (below). facebook.com/pages/Blooming-Heights-
tants take most of the responsibility for tending
Columbia Heights Public Schools Guiding Principles the garden. In addition to planting, watering and Edible-School-Yard/255854018156378
Since its inception, the Blooming Heights weeding, and they harvest fruits and vegetables
Edible Schoolyard & Outdoor Classroom has • We are committed to hands-on teaching and for weekly cooking lessons. Any produce that is
offered unique programming within Columbia learning that highlights beauty, wonder and not used for cooking is preserved for use by the
Heights Public Schools. joy, and encourages positive risk taking. Family and Consumer Science (FACS) classes colheights.k12.mn.us
The intentionality of the Blooming Heights • We facilitate interactions with the natural during the school year or donated to the local
mission and guiding principles have allowed the world that value both individuality and food shelf.
program to refine its assessments to align with mutuality.
these values and to measure program outcomes • We provide professional development and
more deliberately. Blooming Heights stands out support to educators involved in experiential $250,000 in Grant Funding Available to Boost Agriculture,
as an example of the kind of innovative pro- education. Food and Natural Resources Education in Minnesota
gramming made possible with the support of • We conduct practice-based nutrition cur-
administrators, teachers, families, students and riculum built on the belief that healthy food The Minnesota Agricultural Education equipment needs, and provide the best method
School Board members. should taste good and connect eaters to the Leadership Council (MAELC) is now accept- of instruction to meet the needs of the AFNR
earth. ing grant applications for projects that support industry
Mission programming for agriculture, food and natural • Develop AFNR courses that provide oppor-
• We teach garden skills and knowledge as a
Blooming Heights is a Columbia Heights lifelong means for self-advocacy and inde- resources education (AFNR) education at the tunities for credit equivalency for high school
Public Schools program that uses school garden pendence. K–12 and post-secondary levels. graduation credit or concurrent enrollment for
and nutrition programming to facilitate equitable • We seek to center marginalized voices and to The second round of applications are due post-secondary credit
experiences that engage all the senses, while elevate leadership from all members of our April 15, 2026. Applicants may request between • Provide equipment and improve facilities to
building the skills and knowledge necessary for community. $1,500–$25,000 per project. The average award enhance student experience and instruction
cultivating a healthy life and planet. amount for the past three years is $8,900. Pri- • Develop and/or enhance AFNR curriculum
• We provide opportunities for personal and ority will be given to school-based agricultural and course delivery methods to provide stu-
cultural connection with the land. education and post-secondary programs, or for dents with opportunities to acquire leadership,
• We believe learning should feel relevant and projects connected to school districts or colleges/ career readiness and technical skills
urgent, inspiring questioning and curiosity. universities. MAELC Goal # 3: Recruit, retain, and
• We offer multi-age and multi-discipline learn- Projects should address at least one of the support highly qualified INSTRUCTORS
ing experiences that utilize techniques such as strategies within the following MAELC goal • Implement recruitment strategies to encour-
Social Emotional Learning and mindfulness areas: age individuals to join the AFNR education
as well as academic content. MAELC Goal # 1: Increase STUDENT access, profession
awareness, and participation
About the Garden • Implement new or expand current AFNR • Support career lifecycles of agricultural edu-
Blooming Heights Edible Schoolyard is education programs that attract new and/or cators (e.g., pre-service, early, mid or late
located behind the Columbia Heights District underserved groups career), which can include programming for
Center, between the High School and the Family • Provide experiences that improve student professional development, mentorship, and
Center, 1440 49th Ave. NE, Columbia Heights. engagement and broaden opportunities for cohort opportunities
Blooming Heights is within short walking applied learning in AFNR content, including • Provide programming that retains and
distance from Highland and Valley View ele- middle school grades (5-8) transitions instructors at the secondary, post-
mentary schools and Columbia Academy. secondary and farm business management
• Promote and offer AFNR career exploration levels
What do we grow? programs that recruit and retain students for Contact information: Sarah Dornink, Execu-
We have both ground level garden beds and the future workforce tive Director, Minnesota Agricultural
a number of raised beds for vegetables, fruits, MAELC Goal # 2: Improve PROGRAM- Education Leadership Council
flowers and herbs. In addition to the wide variety MING content, meeting facilities and tesm0010@umn.edu / (612) 624-6249