Thanks to community support, preschoolers are learning how seeds, soil and a little care can grow food.
At Burney Elementary’s Head Start class, something special is happening. Instead of running around the playground or learning their letter and numbers, the approximately two dozen children were circling around a row of bright red cattle buckets. These weren’t any ordinary buckets, though; they were the foundation of a brand-new bucket garden.
The idea began when school counselor Jennifer Shiver wanted to give the young children a hands-on way to learn about plants, food, and responsibility. Shiver, with 32 years’ experience in education, has always had a passion for agriculture, having taught Ag for two years, from 2022 to 2024, at Lopez Exceptional Student Education Center. She suggested the idea to Head Start teachers Rita Frison and Emily Lee, and they quickly agreed to the special lesson plan.
But where do you start a garden when you don’t have raised beds or extra space? That’s when the community stepped in.
Dennis Der, President at Red Barn Ranch Cattle, donated sturdy cattle feed buckets, perfect containers for little hands to grow big ideas. J & R Nursery, owned by Shiver’s husband, added another gift: rich, healthy soil, ready to nurture seeds into sprouts. Der was happy to assist with the project. “It’s important for children to learn where their food comes from before it gets to Publix,” said Der.
With the donations, the children had everything they needed to begin.
The week before planting, Shiver and the teachers taught lessons about how plants need water, sunlight, air, and nutrients from the soil to grow, likening the process to themselves and how their bodies also need nourishment (and their minds need to learn at school) to grow strong.
On planting day, each child scooped soil into a bucket, pressed seeds into the earth, and gently watered their new garden. Giggles and wide-eyed wonder filled the air as they imagined the seeds sprouting into carrots and green beans.
The following day, the children eagerly came to school expecting to see sprouts coming up from the dirt. Shiver told them they needed to be patient. “The kids were constantly asking if they’ve sprouted, but I told them it’ll take a couple of weeks,” she said.
When they’re ready to harvest in a couple of months, Shiver and the teachers plan to read “Creepy Carrots!” by Aaron Reynolds and allow them to sample their crop. The buckets will then be put to use again. “We’ll recycle the buckets and plant lettuce in the winter and other vegetables in the spring,” said Shiver.
What made this project shine wasn’t just the buckets or the soil, but the spirit behind it. It was a true community effort, local businesses, caring individuals, and dedicated educators all working together to give children a meaningful learning experience. “These kids aren’t just growing plants,” said Shiver. “They’re growing memories, skills, and a love for the earth.”
