Sullivan County Students Dig Into Learning at Edible School Gardens

Students in Sullivan County are getting hands-on lessons in nutrition, ecology, and teamwork—right in their schoolyards.The Catskill Edible Garden Project, started in 2012 by Sullivan 180, Catskill Mountainkeeper, and Cornell Cooperative Extension, has grown from four gardens to 15 in 2025. These edible gardens give students a chance to plant, harvest, and explore while learning about healthy eating and the natural environment.Liberty Elementary School’s garden coordinator, Christy Green, said garden days are transformative. “Every time they discover something or make a connection, it’s exciting. They go and tell you about it and want to know more,” she said.Students grow tomatoes, beans, potatoes, lettuce, kale, and herbs, enjoying the harvest themselves or donating extras to school meals. Gardens also provide academic enrichment, physical activity, and lessons in collaboration and responsibility.Sullivan 180 garden coordinator Eva Bednar said the key to success is simply starting small. The program also offers grants to schools, daycares, and youth-focused nonprofits, with applications opening Nov. 15.For more information or to get involved, visit sullivan180.org.