Mississippi Delta Academies - Leflore Legacy Academy Community Garden
Fundraising:
Garden Groundbreaking
Leflore Legacy was honored to receive a garden grant awarded through a collaboration between Community Resources Connection (CRC), Inc and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Natural Resources Conservation Service that aims to increase availability of local fresh fruits and vegetables within underserved communities. Leflore Legacy Academy was one of fifteen community organizations to receive a grant to purchase garden materials and supplies.
Through the leadership of our community garden coordinator, approximately 10 families in the community with family sizes of at least 3 were fed. The garden consist of 8 raised beds within a 5400 sq feet area. One community member, Brittany Tucker noted how delicious the turnip greens were!
All the scholars (approx. 50) in our 21st Century Community Learning Center summer program have been working on the garden daily, and Ms. Tucker continues to lead the efforts. She is a skilled self-taught gardener. The Greenwood Community Center has committed volunteers to join the effort regularly as well.
Our garden quickly went from the bare parking lot to a thriving oasis! We are already producing some cucumbers and squash, which scholars have picked, shared and sampled during the summer program. Student scholars were able to take produce home. Once the school year begins, our goal is to share with the community. We plan to participate in the Greenwood Farmers Market every Saturday beginning in August or September.
Results of planting the community garden after receiving USDA funding assistance:
– growing vegetables
– feeding families
– beautifying our school
– engaging community members
– acquiring necessary items for the garden
– building community ties and relationships
Other partners who aided with the community garden project:
– Greenwood Community Center: providing supplies and support.
– Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Kappa Alpha Omega Chapter – delivering compost and helping with the planting.
– MS State Extension Service: providing seeds and other planting items.
Below are comments that we received from various community members about the garden that was very encouraging.
- “My family really enjoyed the turnip greens!” – Brittany Tucker
- “Thanks so much to the staff and students of Leflore Legacy Academy for the beautiful rock garden and the fruits and vegetables garden honoring Casey KC Larry. Can’t wait to see what you guys planted! Ka’Myia and I ride by on a regular basis, and it is such a beautiful tribute. We are and always will be #legacyproud #cultivatingforhiscommunity #legendsneverdie
- “I absolutely LOVE this Community Garden!!! 😊 -Cynthia Stanciel, Chief Administrative Officer, The City of Greenwood, MS.
- The Mayor Carolyn McAdams and Dr. Tamala Boyd-Shaw of Legacy Academy to addressed the city council and show a video of the schools community garden. “I was so thrilled to see and hear about what she is teaching her students about gardening and a healthier lifestyle. This is truly a wonderful topic and learning opportunity for our youth, especially considering we live in a state that is number one for obesity. Super job Legacy Academy!” Mayor Carolyn McAdams.
A huge thank you to the Community Resources Connection, Inc. for our USDA Community Garden Award! We are growing vegetables for our scholars and for our community. Through EXCELLENCE, EMPOWERMENT, and ENJOYMENT, we are building a healthier future for ALL!
The Leflore Legacy Academy Garden was featured on several media platforms. See links below for additional information.
Leflore Legacy newsletter:
https://leflorelegacyacademy.dm.networkforgood.com/emails/celebrating-women
Social media:
Irene Fisher – Thanks so much to the staff and students of… | Facebook
Legacy loves giving back! Our… – Leflore Legacy Academy | Facebook
The primary garden challenge during the season was the weather. With the extreme heat, we were watering quite often and hoped for rain.
The garden was named after Casey Larry, a 28-year-old Leflore Legacy teacher and coach who passed away in January 2024 due to gun violence. His family has privately visited the garden and expressed their appreciation for the memorial tribute.
The lessons we learned during this journey were:
– Be prepared for the cold weather’s impact on the garden.
– Establish a routine maintenance schedule for partners.
– Take lots of pictures.
Legacy loves giving back! Prior to Legacy students acquiring their own garden, their garden class had cleaned out flowerbeds and planted flowers in their nearby Greenwood community center. The Greenwood Community Center’s Executive Director, Debra Leary Adams, expressed appreciation of the excellent job the students had done. When they finished the project, they were beaming with pride! Excellent job scholars!
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 26, 2024
Greenwood, MS— Leflore Legacy Academy will receive a $10,000 grant to start a community garden this month.
The edible garden will be located on the school’s grounds and will be primarily tended by student participants in the 21st Century Community Learning Center after school program. Community volunteers may participate as well.
Leflore Legacy scholars will learn gardening in a hands-on setting, as well as using their produce to prepare healthy meals in cooking and nutrition classes led by Mississippi State University Extension Office of Nutrition Education.
If enough produce is successfully grown, the garden will be opened to the public to take vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and the school will partner with Greenwood Community Center to add fresh produce to their ongoing food distribution program that serves the Greenwood community.
“Much of the Greenwood area surrounding the Leflore Legacy school building, as well as the areas where our Leflore Legacy scholars live, is a food desert with limited access to fresh foods,” said Dr. Tamala Boyd Shaw, Executive Director of Leflore Legacy Academy. “We’re thrilled to be able to meet this need for our scholars and families, and for the greater community.”
The grant was awarded through a collaboration between Community Resources Connection (CRC), Inc and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Natural Resources Conservation Service that aims to increase availability of local fresh fruits and vegetables within underserved communities. Leflore Legacy Academy was one of thirteen community organizations to receive a grant to purchase garden materials and supplies.
The mission of Leflore Legacy Academy is to equip and empower middle school scholars with a personalized rigorous and relevant college preparatory curriculum enabling success in high school, college, and life. Additional information about Leflore Legacy Academy is available at Leflorelegacyacademy.org. For questions, contact 662-455-3697.