Tolland Lions Club members, Len Bach and Duane Mathews, stopped by the Tolland Youth Garden to present a check for $500 to help cover expenses for the new storage shed on the garden site. The Lions are part of a collaboration between the Tolland Garden Paths Youth Garden, the Tolland Lions Club, Kloter Farms, Ellington High School Carpentry Class and the Tolland Department of Recreation. What a great model. Non profits, business, government and education working together to provide opportunities for Tolland and Ellington children, youth and families to get involved in community service, education and recreation.
The shed makes it possible for teachers and students in Youth Garden programs to have gardening tools and teaching resources handy and ready to use. The shed itself is becoming a teaching resource. Dave Benjamin installed a rain water collection system from the shed roof, a valuable teaching tool for lessons on environmental stewardship. Student artists: Eliza, Emma, and Julia Browning are painting the life cycle of butterflies on one outside wall. Gina Carroll painted a mural showing the cycle of plant growth from seed to foliage on another wall. A scale hangs from the corner of the shed at every class to weigh the harvest that is donated to local food pantries and community kitchens.
Stop by and check out our garden and snazzy shed. Look for our happy sprout signs pointing the way from the Lions Ball Field and the Old Post RD parking lots.
