Planting the Seeds of Knowledge

September 4, 2023

It started with an Eagle Scout project. Justin Higgins, an alumnus of Butler Catholic School, decided around 2018 to help give back to his community by building four raised beds behind the school.

Kathy Dudley, director of operations at BCS, explained Higgins’ work inspired BCS to grow the garden plots by adding four more—and getting volunteers involved. At the heart of this group of ardent volunteers were students.

“So we started the BCS Garden Club!” Mrs. Dudley explained.

Thanks to the help of BCS staff, parents, and students, the garden grew lettuce, carrots, and some astonishing cabbages in its first growing season.

“I remember they did so well, because our cabbages won first place in the farm show!” Mrs. Dudley recalled.

Once the garden beds were well underway, adding a pollinator garden became the next priority. Then came the patio for our outdoor classroom, which the Butler Garden Club helped to establish.

“We’re so grateful they’ve been onboard ever since,” Mrs. Dudley said. “We have been able to do much of the garden expansion over the years through the support of grants and local groups, including Butler Garden Club!”

Today, the school garden doesn’t just contained vegetable beds. It also has berry bushes, a pumpkin patch, fruit trees, and chickens.

The garden’s crown jewel arrived this spring in the form of a geodesic greenhouse. Its insulated and passive solar design allows plants to grow year-round, providing students with opportunities to learn about agriculture and the environment.

Of course, teaching students about agriculture and the environment is a job on its own. That’s why this year, Master Gardener RaeLynne Harrison has joined our staff as director of environmental programming! By being in the classroom and incorporating daily garden time with students, Miss Rae’s motto is “hands in the dirt.”

“I’m going to be able to go from seed to food with students!” Miss Rae explained. “I get to show them no matter how small your space is, you can grow something.”

Developing an agricultural and environmental pilot program at BCS isn’t just about teaching students how to plant, grow, and harvest produce. Miss Rae also wants to establish a recycling program, zero out food waste, work toward getting campus green-certified, and convert outdoor lighting to yellow LEDs.

Above all, Miss Rae wants to help students get in touch with their investigative sides by sparking their curiosity and developing their critical thinking skills.

“Questioning is a big thing with me,” Miss Rae added. “That’s one of the things I’ll be teaching them first. How to ask questions and how to ask good questions.”

There’s more to come for the BCS garden. Among other things, Miss Rae is planning to start an Outdoor Adventure Club to introduce adventurous students to nature exploration and discovery. She’s also looking into building curriculum around technology that assists with outdoor recreation, such as birding.

We’re blessed to be able to share the fruits of God’s earth with students!