Western New York experienced a fantastic Fall season with warmer than average temperatures and many sunny days. This allowed us to have an extended growing season in the garden. We grew an abundance of fruits and vegetables! The Kaegebein Garden Club decided to host a school-wide food challenge. All students were challenged to try Swiss Chard, kale and yellow squash. The food challenge was a big success and the students got lots of positive comments about the produce. Thanks to everyone who helped with the food challenge, especially the cafeteria staff who washed and cut up the produce. There were many suggestions to use the fruits and vegetables in the food offered in the cafeteria. Garden club students were proud to offer a healthy organic option to the students at Kaegebein!
After the food challenge we still had an excess of produce in the garden! The garden club hosted a mini farmer's market on Halloween to raise some funds to keep the garden growing next year. They sold kale, Swiss chard and beets for $1.00 a bunch. Everything was sold and the market was a big success! Recipes were also passed out that highlighted the produce sold in the market.
In addition we had our first monarch chrysalis in the pollinator garden! Students were able to watch the chrysalis grow, change color and hatch a beautiful male monarch butterfly! He hung around the garden for several hours before flying up over the wall and hopefully off to Mexico!
After the food challenge we still had an excess of produce in the garden! The garden club hosted a mini farmer's market on Halloween to raise some funds to keep the garden growing next year. They sold kale, Swiss chard and beets for $1.00 a bunch. Everything was sold and the market was a big success! Recipes were also passed out that highlighted the produce sold in the market.
In addition we had our first monarch chrysalis in the pollinator garden! Students were able to watch the chrysalis grow, change color and hatch a beautiful male monarch butterfly! He hung around the garden for several hours before flying up over the wall and hopefully off to Mexico!