As all things do, the Garden at West Elementary School began as an idea. Dedicated community member and Assistant Professor of Structural Geology at Mississippi State University, Dr. Kelsey Crane, had a vision. She saw the potential the old Sturgis High School football field had. She knew there was an amazing opportunity there for not just the students at West and State to collaborate on a project, but for a community space. One that brings, students, teachers, professors, and neighbors all together to create something meaningful and impactful for the community. Thus the Garden at West was born.
This collaboration between MSU and West Elementary has a goal of creating a space where the elementary students can learn about nature, sustainability, and growing their own food and where the college students can learn as well as practice teaching these concepts. Students from the Department of Geosciences, Agricultural Education, and Landscape Architecture are working together with several faculty members to build the garden and prepare lessons for the teachers at West.
Most recently, Geosciences students planted a pollinator garden and a ‘dinosaur’ garden, a space that references plants that would have been around during the age of dinosaurs. In the coming months, AgEd students will begin preparing teaching materials as well as building picnic tables and benches generously sponsored by the Sturgis and Starkville community. Landscape Architecture students will wrap up their semester by building raised beds and helping the students at West plant a winter crop.
This project has been funded by the Schillig Special Teaching Projects Grant, the William White Special Projects Grant, and by donations from Southeastern Timber Products (mulch), the Oktibbeha County Coop (soil), Walton’s Greenhouse in Columbus (trees), Camp Creek Native Plants (flowers), Turf Grass Extension office, and United Rentals (equipment). Our long term goal is that this garden becomes a gathering and learning space for the Sturgis community for years to come.
If anyone would like to volunteer, email kelseycrane@geosci.msstate.edu.