A new student-led garden project at Ridgefield High School is creating exciting opportunities for hands-on learning, sustainability education, and collaboration across multiple programs and departments.
The Spudder Eats Garden Project was developed to support culinary arts education while teaching students about sustainable practices and farm-to-table food systems. The garden will provide ongoing opportunities for students to develop leadership, teamwork, and real-world skills while working together on a project that benefits the entire school community.
The project came together through the generosity and support of several local businesses, including Shovel and Thumb, Tractor Supply, Rodda Paint, and Shipp Brothers Landscaping. Their contributions helped transform the vision into reality in a remarkably short period of time.
The garden is also the result of a truly collaborative effort among students and staff from across Ridgefield High School.
Construction teacher Dave Trujillo and his students built four garden boxes and assisted with filling them with soil. Emily Whitton's Environmental Science classes tested soil, helped design the garden layout, filled the boxes, and worked alongside Spudder Eats students to plant vegetable starts.
The project continues to grow through additional student involvement. Art students are preparing to create a garden mural under the guidance of Tami Hoodenpyl, while students in Jared Hundley's classes are designing a commemorative plaque recognizing the project and its community partners.
"This would not have been possible without all of these incredible educators and our amazing Spudders across so many classes," said culinary arts teacher Sam Shipp, who helped lead the effort. "Words cannot express my gratitude for the collaboration and willingness to help."
The Spudder Eats Garden Project showcases the power of community partnerships and cross-curricular learning, providing students with meaningful experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world applications.