Peconic Community School Lends a Hand and discovers new tastes at the Agricultural Center
June 27, 2018
By Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Planting Trees and Stopping By the Learning Garden
Earlier this month, the students from the Peconic Community School, along with their teachers and parents, paid a visit to the Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm to plant a few new trees . . . Red Oak Trees.
We thank them all for their hard work, and look forward to seeing the trees grow tall and strong!
While there, Denise Markut, our North Fork Stewardship Manager, talked to them about growing their own food and introduced the children to a variety of vegetables and fruit.
"It was a good day with the Peconic Community School. The kids and parents were very open to tasting anything I offered but the strawberries were the favorite." said Denise.
Strawberries may have been the overwhelming favorite, but one aspiring gardener got the taste for sorrel! In her column for the NorthForker that came out last week, mom Sara Berliner wrote:
"My preschooler is fearless with backyard creatures: her version of multitasking is holding a worm while looking at a book. After tasting veggies at the Peconic Land Trust’s Ag Center, my third grader asked if we can plant sorrel. Yup, sorrel. I pretended I knew what that was (a leafy, lemony green — thanks, Google) and told him to research its sun and water needs. They both love putting food out for the abundant birds and strategizing to prevent squirrels — and let’s face it, raccoons — from gobbling it all up."
The tasting took place in the Ag Center's Learning Garden . . . under the careful stewardship of volunteers Ken and AnnMarie Lyons. "Thank you to the Lyons for their TLC each year," added Denise.
Do you have a school or community group who would like to help out at the Ag Center and/or learn more about gardening and growing your own food? Email Denise Markut or Kathy Kennedy today.
Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Vice President
ydebow@peconiclandtrust.org