The Students at Harris Middle School Were Given a Great Holiday Gift!

The Harris Green Team was surprised to find their greenhouse finally installed This Friday. Thanks to Grennhouses, Etc. for doing such a great job for the students at Harris and special thanks to all that supported us to make this possible. Mrs. Trevino and Ms. Windwehen are very grateful that it is almost complete! 

Please contact us using the tool to the right of our page if you'd like to schedule a visit. 

Most Impacting Memory

There are so many memories that have been created in Green Team. Ranging from being on the news to planting our own Petunias for anyone who happens to pass by to see, there are a variety of memories and bonds created in this class. But for me, the most impacting memory would have to be helping and teaching the sixth graders how to plant yellow Snapdragons.

One day while we were out at the garden, we invited a class of sixth graders to help plant. At first, many people didn’t know what they were doing and it was a mess. We got them under control and taught them how to dig a hole deep enough for their plant. Then, we showed them the correct way to take the snapdragons out of their pot. Eventually, we got them to put them into their hole and cover their sides.

To me, this was the most impacting so far because it made me feel like I was able to teach others. It shows you can spread your knowledge and influence others to do what can make this world prettier and better. Now, every time I walk out there, I remember the day I helped others. 

Angela Canonizado, 8th Grade 

Green Team Vice President 

Harris Middle School Green Team Launches Sprouts Program

The Harris Middle School Community Garden, run by co-directors Lacey Trevino and Loryn Windwehen, have launched a new program, Sprouts. The members of the Harris Middle School Green Team, sponsored by Windwehen, will teach the younger students via hands-on outdoor activities. Through this peer teaching, they hope to further the reach of the Harris Community Garden and get young students excited about environmental and horticultural sciences. This program is open to all elementary schools. To learn more about how to sign up, click here. 

Vermicomposting Has Reached a New Level for the Harris Green Team

Thanks to the craftsmanship of Dr. Maika and the teamwork of the Harris Green Team, 400 red wiggler worms were placed in their new habitat, The Worm Hotel. We are still developing a name for the structure, but we are very excited. 

The worms work their way up the tower, eating organic material and releasing their waste. The waste falls to the bottom, and we harvest that, using it to fertilize our vegetables. It is the richest fertilizer you can find, and has many worm eggs within those nutritious castings. This will allow for the continuing the life cycle within the soil of our crops. 

For directions on how to build your own, click here : http://pittsburghpermaculture.org/hardware/how-to-stacked-worm-composting-for-15

The Green Team and directors will be offering a class this Spring on this very topic, and you can sign up through NEISD Community Ed. 

Freeze preparation

The Harris garden is in need of old sheets, blankets, or anything else that will help us protect our plants from the freeze. Contact lwindw@neisd.net if you have any! Thank you so much!

In need of volunteers

Community garden supporters, Harris is in need of some volunteers for these tasks: 

De-weeding beds on a regular basis 

Brush removal (one time need)

Staining picnic table benches 

Re-construction/repair of garden fencing 

If you can offer help or know of someone that can, please email lwindw@neisd.net to set up a time to meet! 

Thank you so much for your support!

Monarch Butterfly Links

http://texasbutterflyranch.com/2014/09/24/migration-update-it-takes-a-village-to-feed-hungry-monarch-butterfly-caterpillars/


http://texasbutterflyranch.com/2012/04/12/desperately-seeking-milkweed-voracious-appetites-of-monarch-butterfly-caterpillars-create-milkweed-emergency/


http://texasbutterflyranch.com/2014/08/29/here-they-come-monarch-butterflies-headed-our-way-in-promising-rebound-season/

http://texasbutterflyranch.com/2014/02/08/wake-up-call-as-monarch-butterfly-numbers-plummet-will-their-migration-become-extinct/


http://monarchjointventure.org/get-involved/create-habitat-for-monarchs/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/08/140819-monarch-butterfly-milkweed-environment-ecology-science/

Broccoli and Onions Are in the Ground!

Our broccoli plants and onion sets have been planted! Now we practice patience and care. 

Don't forget to register below for our FREE fall gardening workshop! Email lwindw@neisd.net for more info.  

First Seeds Have Been Planted!

Students are planting carrot seeds.


We have planted green bean seeds, squash seeds, and zucchini seeds. These vegetables will be eaten by teachers and students!

Come to our free Fall Gardening Class on October 6th!

Register Here! 


All information can be found on the link above! Hope to see you there! We would love to help you start a vegetable garden at home!

Help us spread the word about our program!

Facebook: Harris Middle School Community Garden


Instagram and Twitter @harrisgarden



The more followers we have, the greater our impact!

Volunteers - please fill out this form!

In an effort to make our program sustainable, we are hoping to rely more and more on our volunteers to help in various ways.

If you haven't already taken a couple minutes to fill out this form, the directors would greatly appreciate it!

Volunteer Questionnaire 

Thanks again!

- Harris Community Garden Directors

Great Day SA!

The Harris Community Garden was featured on Great Day SA today!

Click the link below!

Green Team TShirts

Interested in buying a Green Team T-shirt to support Harris Middle School's Green Team? They are $15.00 and can be ordered by sending cash/check made out to Harris Middle School. 

Print this blog post with your Name:_______________________

Child's 1st Period Teacher:_____________________

Size:_________________

email lwindw@neisd.net with questions. I am taking orders until Monday, Sep 22nd. Pre-orders only! Thank you for your support! 

Saturday's Garden Clean Up Was a HUGE Success!!!

On Saturday, September 6th, we had over 40 people attend our annual garden clean up. They turned an area completely overgrown with grass and weeds into an area that is now able to be worked and enjoyed. We will begin using it for instruction this week.

Our next event is on September 20th from 8:30-10:30 am. We will finish cleaning out the beds so that the students can begin planting in them.Please let Ms. Windwehen know if you can attend. If you can come, please bring tools, water, gloves, and wear some clothes that can get dirty!

Mrs. Trevino and Ms. Windwehen want to extend their deepest gratitude to all the volunteers; this program is able to function because of them.

Contact lwindw@neisd.net for information about the garden or ways you can volunteer.

Harris Wins the Team Up Challenge!

The Harris Middle School Green Team was announced as one of the five Team Up Challenge Champions! We look forward to installing a greenhouse with the funds awarded!

Final Presentation for Team Up Challenge!

Today, the members of the Harris Green Team presented their final project to a group of judges at the AT&T Center. In this project, they presented their results of their efforts this year and their plans of what they'd like to do in the future.

Read below for a news release.

http://www.neisd.net/ComRel/News/TeamUpChallenge_Final_14.htm

Last Chance to Vote for Our Project!!!

Please vote for our project to better our chances of winning 20 thousand dollars for our school! With those funds, we will install a state-of-the art greenhouse! We have until April 7th at 5 pm!

• there is no limit to how many times we can vote between now and the deadline. 
• the site is: www.teamupchallenge.com and all info can be found if you click on our school. 
• we are one of 20 finalists competing to be the top 5 winners who will win $20,000 for Harris Middle School. With those funds, we hope to buy a greenhouse. 
• Info about our program and a GREAT video to watch that we made  is at www.teamupchallenge.com/harris-middle-school

The Harris Green Team went on an amazing field trip to Texas State University. They visited gardens, a compost site, greenhouses, and even took a glass bottom boat tour. It was great to see what they learn each day in the garden at school being used somewhere else.

 

 

We are thankful for our NEISD board members. Thank you for supporting our education! Green Team students made each of the board members a living token of appreciation.

Harvest Time!

Great kids and a great harvest! Fresh organic vegetables.

Have you stopped by one of our weekly Farmer's Markets?

Spring Garden Class!

Sign up for this FREE spring Garden Class taught by the Harris Green Team and their sponsors !

https://docs.google.com/a/neisd.net/forms/d/1Pz8rrjjfikH9n7RUasvPzqkXxyugGKUtCakXH6kgxcE/viewform

We are always looking for volunteers! If you are interesting in helping in any way, please contact Mrs. Trevino at ltrevi11@neisd.net