Where once stood a dry, hard spot devoid of greenery, the Melitón Albánez T.M. Elementary School now has a space bursting with life and color, a living outdoor classroom where students and staff can observe the relationship between plants and insects, watch flowers develop into edible fruits, and learn the importance of healthy soil in creating healthy food and lives.

The project started in March 2024, with the volunteer work of parents, the leadership of teachers, the superhuman strength of the children and the vision of CSU’s Zero Waste Coordinator Antonio Diego. The Edible Garden was the result of an effort to reduce the amount of trash generated at the school, trash that was sent to a landfill that regularly catches fire due to the waste it receives, most particularly organic waste. But how does a garden reduce trash?

Antonio explains. “If we observe the way nature manages its waste, we understand that it uses cycles to utilize waste and generate life from what is dead or unused.” He continues, “While we started the garden in March 2024, we actually set the basis for the project in September 2023 with the “Invisible Pet” composting program. The students consumed fresh fruit then fed their food waste into the SIRDO compost bin, which was donated by CSU. In this way we obtained the first harvest of fertile soil and the students were able to see the full cycle of nature. Their lunch waste was transformed into something that wasn’t rotten, didn’t generate odors and didn’t attract pests. Rather, their lunch waste became fertile soil in the compost bin and today the students have their beautiful garden complete with a clay (instead of plastic) irrigation system, a smiling scarecrow, and beautiful fruits and flowers. In the garden hundreds of users witness the cycles of nature every day, up close, and understand how we can take responsibility for our lives.”

The Melitón Albánez students have written a book about their scholar garden success that other schools are adopting. Happy anniversary!