This school year, students in the Exceptional Education department at Varina High School are constructing an “edible classroom” on the grounds of campus. This area will be used to learn daily living skills as well as other skills. The students plan to do a spring and fall planting each year where they will harvest their crops to use in recipes. The project came about as an entry into the James River Green Building Council’s Connect the Dots for Green Schools Challenge, where the plan won a third place Leadership Award. At that time, the garden was not complete, but it is under construction now and the students are working hard to get everything ready for a spring planting. The completed garden will contain 5-12’x8′ raised beds, a covered outdoor classroom area, wheelchair accessible planters, a 220 gallon rain irrigation system, and an 8’x8′ tool shed that will be sided in recycled cans from our cafeteria. To stay up with the progress on the project, go to
