An urban farm thrives at Walker Jones Education Campus, where bee hives also teach students the importance of pollinators.
Just over a mile from the White House, this public school campus has been home to an urban farm since July of 2010.
During its first growing season, The Farm at Walker Jones produced more than 3,000 pounds of food that was shared with students, families, farm volunteers, residents in two neighboring retirement communities, and D.C. Central Kitchen (a local nonprofit that feeds the hungry).
By its fourth growing season, the farm grew to include two active beehives maintained by Jeff Miller of DC Honeybees, and a composting program led by Jeremy Brosowsky and Compost Cab. The farm also has a watering station and an irrigation system, with plans to add a cistern system and covered classroom, as part of participation in the RiverSmart School program.
While this farm serves the greater community, it is first and foremost an extension of the educational hopes and dreams for the students. It serves as an outdoor classroom where experiential learning can be integrated into the school curriculum. At Walker Jones, the team educates the whole child, which includes teaching that the foods they eat are as important as the books they read.
Learn more about the benefits of schools hosting bee hives here.
