HOLDEN — The Holden Garden Club awards grants of up to $1,000 for the purpose of advancing student knowledge of natural sciences, horticulture, or the natural environment. Projects encourage ecological and conservation awareness and sustainable practices that enhance students’ love of gardening.
In October 2023, Dawson Elementary School applied for a $1,000 grant under the direction of ELL teacher Kara Prendergast. The Holden Garden Club awarded the funds to improve six existing raised beds and provide an outdoor shed for storage, gardening tools, hose, tomato cages and support stakes, fertilizer and soil.
Pupils in grades 1 through 4 are involved in this project. Students are learning how to compost and are vermicomposting with a worm bin. They are studying the life cycles of seeds and plants, particularly pumpkins and sunflowers. This grant enables the students to have hands-on opportunities to learn about planting and growing, and fosters a love of gardening.
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be accepted next fall. Guidelines are available at holdengardenclub.org. Thanks to the late Margaret Watson for chairing the Grants Committee for the past several years.
