Students at T.H. Slater Elementary School will soon have even more opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive thanks to a $3,500 Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant. Slater was selected from more than 800 applications submitted by schools and organizations across the United States and Canada, making the award a significant recognition of Slater’s innovative environmental science and nutrition program.
For students at Slater, the garden is much more than a place to grow vegetables—it’s a living classroom where science, nutrition, environmental stewardship, and culture come together.
Under the leadership of Master Gardener Lorraine Langston, students in Pre-K through fifth grade spend time in the school’s environmental science program planting seeds, tending raised garden beds, caring for compost bins, learning about pollinators, harvesting fresh produce, and even helping prepare recipes using the foods they’ve grown.
“This grant validates the incredible work happening every day in our school garden,” said Laura Peña-Telfer, K-12 STEAM PBL Instructional Coach for Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. “Our students don’t just learn about healthy food, they experience it firsthand by planting, growing, harvesting, tasting, and sharing it with their families.”
Growing opportunities
The grant will help Slater expand its already thriving garden program with several exciting additions over the next few years, including:
- Rebuilding and expanding existing raised garden beds
- Creating a sensory garden filled with herbs and pollinator-friendly plants
- Expanding the school’s chicken coop to include hens for hands-on lessons about agriculture and food systems
- Transforming an underutilized space into a small aquaponics learning station where students can explore sustainable growing practices through a fish-and-plant ecosystem
The existing garden already features nine raised beds, a greenhouse, compost bins, and a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Future plans also include a melon patch, a “farmacy” garden featuring medicinal herbs, and fruit-producing plants such as blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
A classroom rooted in community
Located in Atlanta’s 30315 ZIP code, Slater serves a community where 100 percent of students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch and many families face limited access to fresh, healthy foods. The school garden helps bridge that gap by introducing students to fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs they may not otherwise experience while teaching lifelong healthy habits. Produce not used in classroom lessons is shared with students, families, teachers, and staff.
The program also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the school community. Students learn about the historical significance of crops such as rice, peas, and okra, explore the Geechee culture of Georgia’s Sea Islands, and read culturally affirming books that connect food, family, and community.
Growing the next generation
The garden’s impact extends far beyond science class.
Students spend 45 minutes in the garden four days each week, exploring STEM concepts, sustainability, nutrition, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship through hands-on experiences. As the garden expands, Slater plans to integrate even more project-based learning opportunities across science, math, and technology classes.
The garden is sustained through a strong network of partnerships, including South Atlanta Farms, which provides supplies, field trips, and agricultural expertise, as well as support from Gangstas to Growers, the Atlanta Tool Bank, teachers, parents, and community volunteers.
“This garden is helping students see themselves as scientists, growers, problem-solvers, and environmental stewards,” said Principal Jovan Miles. “We’re excited to continue creating meaningful learning experiences that foster healthier habits and a lifelong appreciation for growing and enjoying fresh food.”
As the garden continues to flourish, so too will the opportunities for Slater students to cultivate curiosity, confidence, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
