In November, Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids (HFHK), University of Delaware Cooperative Extension New Castle County Master Gardeners, and the Delaware School for the Deaf staff and students, broke ground on the Blue Hawk’s Nest vegetable garden.  Students, staff and volunteers of all ages were involved in the construction of the beds and the planting, harvesting, and eating of an assortment of vegetables to be planted in the spring.  HFHK has been working with the DSD over the past several months to assemble a comprehensive curriculum which incorporates special garden tasks and lessons for students from Pre-K through their Dorm Students.

There has been quite a buzz generated about the unique partnership.  Mary Ellen Hillegas, a Master Gardener who has been an advocate for the project, couldn’t wait to see the project get under way.  “Several [staff members] said that this is the most worth-while project that DSD has undertaken in years.  They see the value and can’t wait to be involved,” says Hillegas.  Grace Walker, the driving force behind the project, and chair of the Blue Hawk’s Garden Steering Committee, is excited to give the students an opportunity to “get their hands dirty, work together and learn to wait patiently for something.”  “Some of our children have no idea where fruit and vegetables come from,” says Walker, “I strongly believe they should know where they come from, what they are and how they should be prepared.”

HFHK, Master Gardeners and DSD are extremely excited about the new partnership and the opportunities it will open up to the students of DSD.