The Lapham School ChildrenŐs/Community Garden was selected from 1,800 childrenŐs gardening programs nationwide to receive a 1999 Youth Garden Grant from the Burlington, Vermont based National Gardening Association. The gardening program will receive more than $750 worth of tools, seeds, and useful garden products.

"National Gardening is proud to support this terrific childrenŐs gardening program," says David Young, Director of the Youth Garden Grants Program. "The competition was fierce and they were selected based on their vision for children and their commitment to their community. Involving children in gardening is hard work, requiring tremendous organization and strong community support, which were clearly demonstrated here." There were 300 winners from 46 states chosen this year.

The Lapham garden received additional community support with a $600 grant from the Madison Area Master Gardener Association and $100 from the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association. The Madison Area Master Gardeners will include the Lapham garden in an August garden tour of area youth gardens.

As warm weather approaches plans are being finalized for the Lapham gardenŐs first growing season. In upcoming weeks, several construction projects will be undertaken, including a tool shed, compost bins and a wheelchair accessible raised bed. When the soil has thawed, compost will be tilled into the soil and the garden beds prepared for planting. A spring celebration at Lapham will mark the official beginning of the gardenŐs first growing season.

In June and July, Lapham school and the University of Wisconsin will offer a gardening camp for Lapham students entering 1st-3rd grade in the fall. The program will explore the science of gardening and food production. Children enrolled in the camp will gather at the garden site twice weekly for four weeks. Activities will include science experiments, crafts, garden journal writing and field trips in addition to daily gardening tasks. Garden camp participants will maintain garden plots established by Lapham students during the school year.Additional plots will be available to interested neighbors who are willing to help maintain school plots as well as their own.

With all the preparations and activities ahead, there are many volunteer opportunities available for interested neighbors. If you are interested in becoming involved in any aspect of the garden, now is the time to act. Please contact Ken Swift (home-251-4738, work-266-6450) or Margie Dougherty-Goodburn (256-0238).

-Margie Dougherty-Goodburn


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