Cambridge School Community Garden Growing, Thanks to a Grant
A recent Idaho Department of Education grant, Beyond the Bell, is creating exciting new opportunities for students to learn and grow beyond regular school hours. One of these opportunities will be the launch of the Cambridge School Community Garden. This garden will be among the programs supported by the grant, along with a variety of other after-school activities.
Holli Ogle, the program director, shared more about the grant with students and families. “This grant allows the school to offer enrichment programming outside of regular school hours. The funding will allow the school to provide activities designed to build skills, foster wellness, and strengthen community connections.”
Two community partners will provide classes and support as part of the program. The garden will be led by the Tri-Valley Community & Youth Co-Op, “It will be a living classroom where students learn about science, nutrition, sustainability, and teamwork. It will also serve as a vibrant community hub, promoting wellness, environmental stewardship, and cross-generational collaboration. The garden is designed to help prevent youth substance use by fostering healthy, connected lifestyles and offering hands-on learning experiences that build leadership and purpose.”
In addition to the Tri-Valley Community and Youth Co-op, the program will also receive support from Ignite Idaho Family Resource Center. “Ignite Idaho is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse in Valley and Adams counties and is now available to serve Indian Valley, Cambridge and Midvale families. Their team offer wrap-around services including therapy, childcare, behavioral health support, telehealth appointments, and wellness programs. They provide tools and strategies to help students manage stress, build confidence, and succeed in school and life.” For more information visit https://igniteidahofrc.org.counties.
I recently visited with Deidre Roundtree, Cambridge School’s Community Garden Coordinator and the founder/director of the Tri-Valley Community & Youth Co-Op, to learn more about the school’s new garden project. The garden will be located on the south end of the elementary school, behind the old tennis courts, on the top of the hill above the football field, in a space approved by the school board.
The garden plan includes installing raised beds to make the garden more accessible and easier to maintain. This fall, with help from students, they hope to begin planting garlic and other fall crops. Looking ahead, they will need help from the community to gather materials to fill the garden boxes with browns and greens.
Browns (carbon-rich) include cardboard broken down with no tape, newspaper with black-and-white print only, dry leaves, straw or hay, and shredded paper. Greens, also known as nitrogen-rich materials, include grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps with no meat or dairy, coffee grounds with filters, and garden trimmings.
Deidre, an avid gardener, emphasized the importance of healthy soil as the foundation for the garden’s success. Plans include a gated enclosure using repurposed fencing from the school. She is hoping to connect with volunteers who have specialized skills to support different aspects of the garden. This project is designed to grow and evolve over time. In addition to the garden, Deidre envisions eventually adding a greenhouse to expand and support its success. Funding opportunities may be available through USDA grants, which could provide valuable support for this next phase.
Deidre shared, “This garden is a way to build community connections. It’s about planting seeds of resilience in our youth.” If you’d like to be involved, please consider volunteering your time or supporting in other ways by donating tools, seeds, soil, or lumber, or by sharing your expertise in gardening, composting, nutrition, or youth engagement.
The Garden Community Partner Planning Meeting will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Cambridge Senior Center. For more information about the Cambridge School Community Garden, or to join the email list for upcoming work projects, contact Deidre Roundtree at trivalleycoop@gmail.com or call (208) 866-0634. A full schedule of events is available at trivalleycoop.com.
