Burgess-Peterson Academy Garden

It would be an easy pun to talk about a project coming together organically when it’s about putting in a garden. Yet just as our gardens wouldn’t grow without the combination of soil, water, sun and a little TLC, the first phase the Burgess-Peterson Academy garden was successful because of the diversity of community that came together to make it happen.

Ever since Burgess’ Coach Betty Jackson began coming to the East Atlanta Farmers Market in 2007 to raise money for the Kaboom! playground installed last year, she was sold on incorporating a garden into the school. Atlanta Public Schools’ Director of Nutrition Administration, Dr. Marilyn Hughes, encouraged the Farm to School Coordinator for Georgia Organics, to work with Burgess-Peterson Academy because of the fit with the school’s Student Wellness Ambassador Program. Georgia Organics saw pictures at the school from a trip Coach Jackson took with the farmers market to Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms in College Park and called to see if the market would help with the garden project.

The response from the East Atlanta community was incredible after word was spread through the East Atlanta Community Association (EACA) and the EAV Farmers Market. It wasn’t just that a number of people that responded, but also the valuable skill sets of those who wanted to contribute. A team of people, including representatives from Trees Atlanta and Holy Comforter’s Garden Ministry, came together to meet with teachers and students from the school to develop a plan.

The materials for the garden were procured at the cost of only the volunteers’ time and fuel to move the materials. Robby Astrove, Education Coordinator of Trees Atlanta, provided fruit trees and numerable tools and woodchips needed for the garden. Harvest Farms and the Brownwood Park Community Garden provided wood; Farmer D Organics donated a garden bed with compost; cured compost came free care of Dekalb County, and East Atlanta residents filled in with other valuable tools and expertise.

The day of the build on Saturday, February 21st was sunny and warm. Students and their parents, teachers and community members were all on hand to make the work light and fun. The best part was that this was only the start. Students and teachers will work with the help of the community to plan and plant the remainder of the garden. Many a math, science, and nutrition lesson are yet to come with the aid of this garden where all will taste the fruits of their labor.