Nancy O'Connor is the Director of Education & Outreach at the Merc. She is also the author of the "Rolling Prairie Cookbook" – a celebration of fresh local produce. She came to Lawrence Central's 8/29 meeting to tell us about their School Garden Program.
Right now there are three gardens at West Junior High, Sunset Hill Elementary, and Hillcrest Elementary. The entire project is designed to help change the way our school children interact with food. With help from The Merc Coop, LiveWell Lawrence, the Elizabeth Shultze Environmental Fund, Self Assists Foundation, and countless business and community partners, they have established beautiful gardens on the grounds of three Lawrence Public Schools. Students at West Junior High are employed by The Merc to tend the Gardens over the summer as a job training and leadership development program. The produce is sold at a student-run farmers market and eaten in the schools' cafeterias. To learn more about the visit http://www.themerc.coop/gardens.cfm or email Nancy at [email protected]Lawrence Central also expressed our deep gratitude to Nancy and the staff at the Merc for coming out to our Community Bike Ride and providing healthy snacks.
