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St. Mary celebrates fourth harvest with garden blessing

By Ramona Stillar, Projects Coordinator and Jennifer Gentes, Lead Teacher St. Mary School celebrated the fourth harvest from their garden on Sept. 19 with a special blessing by Father Cuong Luong.

By  Ramona Stillar, Projects Coordinator

and Jennifer Gentes, Lead Teacher

St. Mary School celebrated the fourth harvest from their garden on Sept. 19 with a special blessing by Father Cuong Luong. Not only does the garden harvest help to fill the cupboards for the St. Mary School nutrition program, it helps also helps students develop a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and encourages hands-on learning.

Nutrien, formerly Agrium, “gave root” to the idea of the garden by accepting a grant proposal that was put in by former principal Michelle Sarenco. Once the grant was secured, businesses like Peavey Mart helped bring down the cost of purchasing gardening necessities. River City Plumbing was a huge help by installing and maintaining the water accessibility. Many staff members, staff family members and students helped to build the boxes, plant, weed, cut grass and harvest.

Last year, a generous donation from Battlefords Promise led to the creation of a labyrinth, and more. Greg Edwards led this initiative and Westwood Turf donated sod and bricks. Ken and Terry’s has been with us all the way delivering dirt and gravel to help us.

Without these partners, the dream of this garden would not be possible. From the beginning, the garden space has been used for student learning and, of course, to grow healthy food that is shared within the school. The enhanced landscaping and labyrinth now means that it can be used for prayer, meditation and play.

Photos by Cindy Kovalsky