The Grand Junction High School special education program is growing a new school garden on campus.

The garden will have a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, which the special education students will care for. The fruits will be available for students and staff to eat, and the cafeteria will also use many of them for our school meals. 

“[Our] fruit and vegetables are going to chef Ted [Riley], and then anybody who would like to have any vegetables that grow, they’re also able to grab any of them,” said Ashley Hans, a GJHS life program teacher. 

Many other teachers are helping with the garden. For example, Joseph Graham, an art teacher at GJHS, had many of his students create signs and labels made out of clay. 

The school garden isn’t just for food, but also to help our special education students. 

“It fits their sensory needs, like deep pressure needs. It also just gives them something to do. We have a worm bin, so they help with feeding the worms and the compost,” said Hans. 

The garden is located near the front of the building, close to the track field. Many students enjoy eating lunch in the garden and walking through the designated pathways. 

“I really enjoy being surrounded by the plants and the sun,” said GJHS freshman Jasmine Hoover.

The garden is funded by the Life Program, which is an organization that helps students who have disabilities.