Defunding School Gardens Jeopardizes More Than Kids’ Learning About Food
NYC community interest in them is skyrocketing, but the city cut GrowNYC anyway
In 2015, Bianca Bibiloni, a science teacher at P.S. 14 in Corona, Queens, built a raised bed garden on top of a concrete schoolyard after attending a free workshop given by GrowNYC, the nonprofit that runs over 800 school gardens. Until schools were closed in March, children filled the garden, growing food, doing yoga, playing the violin, and learning math, art, science, English, and social studies. As Covid-19 overtook the city, it is also where they found solace.
“We know a lot of students who have lost family members,” said Bibiloni. “These kids were already under stress because it’s a low-income neighborhood, but it’s way worse now. The garden has made a big difference.”
Last year, she said, after the tragic passing of a student, classmates grew lavender, lemon balm, and mint for the school’s crisis center, where the scent was used to soothe grieving students. “Our garden has always been more than a place for education. It’s a healing space.”
As the days of summer wane and the battle over whether and how to open schools intensifies, parents and elected officials are calling for outdoor classrooms because the…
