UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — At Mount Nittany Middle School in Centre County, students are cultivating more than vegetables — they’re gaining lessons in sustainability and horticulture under the mentorship of Penn State Extension Master Gardeners.
Inspired by his love of vegetable gardening, Master Gardener Mike Fitzgerald, of the Centre County program, created the course in 2009. The retired teacher saw the potential to use the school’s available garden beds for more than an edible demonstration garden; he believed students would benefit from an experiential learning opportunity focused on horticulture.
He worked with school officials to create an elective course on vegetable gardening fundamentals. The course, currently with 12 students, runs throughout the school year and meets weekly.
“We try to be out in the garden as often as we can,” Fitzgerald said. “We have the students pruning, cleaning up the beds, preparing the soil at the beginning of the garden season, and finally harvesting the vegetables they have grown.”
Students learn a variety of topics alongside hands-on work in the vegetable garden, such as propagation and food preservation through canning. Fitzgerald noted that teachable moments often occur spontaneously after discovering something in the garden.
“The nice thing is that the garden will dictate what we learn and that can change day-to-day,” Fitzgerald explained. “For instance, for several years we grew onions, but unfortunately, the plants were affected by leaf miners, which we then used as a lesson. We’re very free to change our plans, but our focus is on trying to get the kids as active in that garden as possible.”
Fitzgerald also cites the elective course's free-form nature as being responsible for the students' high engagement. He explained that because students chose to take the course and because of its outdoor focus, they are more engaged in learning and are actively excited to work in the garden.
“Choice is one of the greatest motivating factors for these students,” he said.
Another Master Gardener involved in the project, Tim Damico said, “Recently, at a basketball game, I happened to see one of the students there. His father came up to me and told me the course was one of his son’s favorite electives. I know that this student is very enthusiastic during the course.”
Cassandra Mosier, a teacher at Mount Nittany Middle School and co-host of the garden, said the teachers believe the opportunities provided by the Master Gardeners help students learn about cooperation, science, the environment, work ethic, and the value and beauty of nature. She added that many students would not explore these topics in such depth without the program.
Andy Faust, Master Gardener area coordinator and Penn State Extension program manager, said the course introduces students to many valuable lessons, including healthy foods, sustainability and workforce development through lessons on various agricultural careers.
“This course gives students hands-on experiences that promote responsible natural resource stewardship, help them understand where food comes from, and encourage healthy food choices, while also providing opportunities to explore potential career interests in agriculture,” Faust said.
“The Master Gardeners involved in this program are making a meaningful impact far beyond teaching horticulture; they’re inspiring students and shaping skills that matter for their future.”
Master Gardener program volunteers in Pennsylvania support Penn State Extension's educational programs in consumer horticulture. They help Extension better serve the home-gardening public by answering questions, speaking to groups, maintaining demonstration gardens, assisting with Penn State pollinator research and participating in many other projects.
More information about the Penn State Master Gardener program is available online.