06/21/2026
Thank you, Lancaster Education Foundation for supporting garden-based learning opportunities for students across the School District of Lancaster this year!
In the Fall, your support helped launch our new Bucket Garden Program at five schools, demonstrating that gardens and meaningful learning experiences can thrive even in schools with limited greenspace. As students planted and cared for their gardens, they investigated the water needs of plants and explored strategies gardeners use to conserve water and help crops thrive. They also prepared and tasted delicious snacks straight from their garden, including an Israeli salad made with tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers!
In the Winter, Lancaster Education Foundation’s support also helped make programming at all SDoL elementary schools a success. Students explored the importance of composting and participated in lunchroom waste audits, investigating what happens to food waste and how their choices can help reduce the amount sent to the landfill.
In the Spring, students shifted their focus to the temperature needs of plants. For a season-long experiment, they planted spinach and corn, tracking air temperature and germination success. They also explored the plants behind some of their favorite cultural flavors, learning about ingredients commonly used in sofrito and sazón, seasonings often found in Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisine. Students also investigated plants such as culantro and annatto, discovering how climate and temperature influence where plants grow and the foods and flavors we enjoy.
From bucket gardens to traditional school gardens, Lancaster Education Foundation’s investment helped bring standards-aligned, hands-on learning to students throughout the School District of Lancaster.
Thank you for helping students grow as scientists, gardeners and curious learners! 🌱🥕🍅✨
School District of Lancaster
