The Cougar Garden: Bringing a community together

Cougar Garden, a local community garden located at Jackson Elementary school in Salt Lake City, Utah.

     Community empowerment. That's what the Social Justice Garden is all about, better known as the "Cougar Garden". The Cougar Garden is located at Jackson Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Elementary students and families of those students take special care of vegetables and fruit during the gardening season to provide the community with fresh produce. 

     Ashley Edgette, a student at the University of Utah had the idea to collaborate with a local Elementary school to create a community garden.  Jana Edwards, Vice Principal of Jackson Elementary says it's purpose is to help "bring the community together in authentic ways, teach students about sustainable practices, science lessons, and provide a food source."  There are several beds for individual families within the community, and some for the school. The garden has flourished since it's existence began in the Spring of 2011. Families have taken advantage of the fruits and vegetables grown in the garden. Jana Edwards said, "Every time we harvest, all the vegetables are gone." It produces so much they have plenty to share all around.

     Cecelia Hernandez, a parent of two children who attend Jackson Elementary said, "I give out the extras to friends I know who don't have gardens, or to kids here at school that don't have any." Cecelia also explained that the garden has brought her family closer together. As a family, they try to visit the garden each day after school, or on Saturdays. "Before that, the kids didn't like to do anything. The little one likes strawberries, so she's in charge of them. My little boy likes to take care of the tomatoes, even though he doesn't like them", Cecelia explained. They grow a combination of produce like watermelons, strawberries, cauliflower, peppers, cantaloupes, and tomatoes. Cecelia's older daughter likes to take the vegetables and make recipes. 

     They opened the garden with a big event in the spring of 2011. This year, the school has plans to close the garden for the season at their annual Fall Festival. They will be using the produce for the event, along with all the pumpkins they grew as decoration.

Squash, pumpkins, and tomatoes grown by the students and parents of Jackson Elementary

     The Cougar garden is also helping out many of the families financially. It's saving these families a lot of money by producing fruits and vegetables they would typically have to purchase at the store, at no cost to them. The University of Utah provides the seeds, tools and volunteers. Students have opportunities to volunteer at the garden as well. To find volunteer opportunities such as this one, visit the Bennion Center on campus at the University, or go online at http://bennioncenter.org/index.htm.