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Allison’s Organic Garden
Walter Milner

Selema Campbell tries to jump out of the way.  Although she really does not want to get wet, she still laughs.  It is a natural reaction when you’re getting squirted with the water hose.  All the students seem to enjoy this moment away from the rigors of high school as their teacher works the nozzle.

The students at Allison Academy, in North Miami Beach, are working in their school’s organic garden.  They have had the rare privilege, through their science classes, to participate in a hands-on learning experience.  The garden was the idea of their science teacher, Mr. Tom Gilfoy, who teaches biology and environmental science at the school.  “I wanted to bring something new and dynamic to Allison Academy to help my students better understand the material in their science classes,” says Gilfoy.  “We’re a small school and I thought this would be the right place to have a community garden.”

Only half a year into the project, the positive effect is clear to the school’s founder and director Dr. Sarah Allison.  “All the students participating are enthusiastic.  They bring special gardening clothes.  If they’re early sometimes they go out and weed in the garden,” says Allison.

The philosophy behind the garden, which is shared by both Mr. Gilfoy and Dr. Allison, is that hands-on learning is far more effective than a strictly textbook and blackboard based curriculum.  “It helps the students digest complex scientific concepts in a way that’s tangible,” says Gilfoy.  “There’s a lot to be said for experiential learning, and I’ve learned that a lot more grows in gardens than tomatoes - minds grow in gardens as well.”
The original idea was for students to learn where their food comes from.  “Mr. Gilfoy, who is an environmental scientist, devised the plan and involved the students every step of the way,” says Dr. Allison.  “The garden has now developed and amazed us all.”

Outside, in the breezy shade of a neighboring apartment building, the students tend to the garden; watering, weeding, and checking the soil.  The garden, which is set in several wooden boxes, is completely organic.  There are no chemical fertilizers or pesticides.  The wood is not treated with any chemicals either.  The students have been growing collard greens, broccoli, red, yellow, and green bell pepper, banana pepper, three types of tomatoes along with herbs like basil and oregano.  “We use marigold flowers and coffee grinds to keep away the insects,” says Eric Roblejo, 12th grade.  Roblejo helped in the garden putting in the soil and planting tomatoes.  “I enjoyed it,” he says, “Watching the plants grow has been an awesome experience because I’ve never seen anything like that.  Just seeing them a few weeks ago and then now; it’s such a big difference.”

Because of the heightened interest of students like Roblejo , Mr. Gilfoy has made them a deal.  He has offered Roblejo and a few other students a trip to North Carolina to visit his alma mater Warren Wilson College.  The school has a strong science and environmental studies curriculum and some of the students are now thinking of applying there for college.  It was at Warren Wilson, along with the environmental honors program at Miami Dade College that Gilfoy was introduced to organic gardening.  “I’m doing really well in his class and I hope I can go,” says Roblejo excitedly.

Teaching environmental studies is obviously a passion Gilfoy takes very seriously.  Along with the garden, he has taken the students on field trips to Everglades National Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and is planning one to Big Cypress National Preserve.  “It’s a good learning experience and it helps us learn about environmental issues that affect our planet,” says Alexis Krieman, 11th grade, who helped water and weed in the garden.  Pausing for a moment from her tasks, Campbell, 12th grade, adds, “We learn to look at the world in terms of relationships, seeing how each part works with the other.”  Campbell then goes back to check on the tomatoes and peppers she planted.

“It feels good to get out and work in the sun, get your hands dirty a little,” says Zach Abell, 12th grade, who helped transport the soil in his mother’s truck. Watching the students work in the garden, it is clear that they are enjoying both the garden and their teacher’s unique methods.  Valerie Gonzales, 11th grade, freely admits, “I think he’s a really good teacher.  Plus, it makes the school look prettier.”

“Part of the garden is to give students a sense of place, a sense of ownership for their food source and just knowing where their food comes from,” says Gilfoy.  “I want them to understand that the earth really does provide for them on a daily basis.  It is also a confidence booster.  I am able to give students leadership roles out here who normally don’t do so well in the classroom.”

As students go in and out from the garden each day, Dr. Allison surely sees the results from her always-open door.  “For many of them who have never had their hands in the soil, this has been a wonderful opportunity,” she says.  “There is no better way to learn than hands-on.  I think these students will never forget their gardening experience.”

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