Students from Friends School Mullica Hill recently visited Mill Creed Urban Farm in Bridgeton to learn the art of greenhouse gardening.
Once a seed is planted, the hope is that it will grow.
On Tuesday, seeds were planted in the minds of several Friends School Mullica Hill middle school students that will hopefully grow into a love of nurturing plants and crops to help feed the hungry and themselves.
The middle school students traveled to Mill Creek Urban Farm in Bridgeton -- a project of Gateway Community Action Partnership -- to plant seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest full-grown crops as part of their community service program at Friends School.
Master Gardener Marcus Weaver, who oversees the Gateway's urban farm and food pantry, said the non-profit organization works to help improve people's quality of life and make them more self sufficient, as well as serve as an educational tool.
"I hope they realize the benefit and satisfaction of growing plants, and I hope it gets them excited about growing things," Weaver said of the children who visited the greenhouses.
Friends School Head of School, Beth Reaves, said the middle school students participate in three community service projects each school year.
"Having them do service is an important part of the curriculum," Reaves said. "And they are also learning about gardening this year."
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The middle school students also visit a Headstart program for preschool children and the Friends Village in Woodstown.
"But so much can come from learning gardening," she said. "It's good experiences for them."
Science teacher Jason Hummel said the students started learning about gardening in the classroom.
"Not only are they learning the science aspect, but also about healthy eating, community service, and giving back," Hummel said.
The children were given trays made of floral foam with 144 tiny holes in which they "planted" several different kinds of seeds.
Weaver said the seeds will sprout in less than three days.
Next, the students transplanted already sprouted plants into long troughs so the tiny plants could continue to grow.
The kids broke the foam apart and placed the plants into small holes in the troughs.
"There's a small water hose on each trough and the troughs are slightly tilted so the water runs down the trough and into a drain," Weaver said. "Then the water goes back through the system so there's no runoff or waste."
Finally, the students were able to harvest their very own crops to take home and eat.
"It's like being one with nature," said 13-year-old Vicki Copeland. "I've only seen this on TV, but to feel what it's like to actually plant and watch it grow is great. I could definitely see myself working here."
For the big finale, the students got to taste the Nasturtium flower.
Shannon Austin said the edible flower was "definitely" delicious, and described it as tasting sort of like an apple at first, but then spicy like a pepper.
"I didn't expect it," said Piper Salmon.
For more information about Gateway Community Action Partnership, visit www.gatewaycap.org.
Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.