At Sowers Middle School, learning is literally taking root. The Sowers Garden Club, led by Physical Education teacher Mr. Ravi Sahoni, has grown into one of the campus’s most hands-on, heart-centered enrichment opportunities. What began as Mr. Sahoni’s personal appreciation for nature and a desire to create a peaceful, restorative space for students has blossomed into a thriving program where students dig in, grow together, and discover the impact of sustainability in action.

“Gardening has always brought me a sense of peace,” he shared. “At a time when mental health challenges among young people are rising, I wanted to create a space where students could slow down, unwind, and simply feel safe. The garden gives them a chance to reconnect with nature and with themselves.”

That intention has deeply resonated with students. Sixth grader Micah reflected on how eye-opening the experience has been:  “My favorite part has been planting things I didn’t even know existed. Every time we’re out here, I learn something new. I never realized how complicated plants are or how much care they really need.”

His classmate, Sofia shared how meaningful it feels to see the garden’s efforts come full circle: “It’s really special to grow something and then actually get to taste it. The tomatoes we grew were my favorite, and they tasted better because we helped take care of them.”

The garden has become a space where students feel empowered, capable, and connected. They plant seeds, protect the soil, manage compost, nurture living things, build responsibility, teamwork, and environmental awareness while strengthening the academic learning happening in science, nutrition, and culinary classes.

The Garden Club’s expansion is rooted in strong collaboration. Assistant Principal Mrs. Lauren Goodner secured a $3,500 Whole Kids Foundation grant to launch Sowers’ edible education space and ensure the program is accessible to students. Through a partnership with Food & Nutrition Services Director Mrs. Ashlin Connolly, students also repurpose cafeteria food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, experiencing firsthand how sustainable systems support both the earth and their school community.

A highlight this year has been growing produce featured in the District’s Harvest of the Month program. Students were especially excited to plant dragon fruit, turning a popular fruit offering into a long-term exploration of how food grows.

For Mr. Sahoni, watching the garden’s impact extend beyond middle school has been especially rewarding. “It’s incredible when former students come back and tell me they’re still gardening. One of my favorite memories was when a group of alumni brought me bananas they grew from a plant they started in the Garden Club here. Moments like that remind me how powerful these experiences can be.”

With student interest growing each year, Mr. Sahoni hopes to expand the garden’s footprint and its possibilities. “I would love to see this eventually become a full class or even an agriculture program,” he added with a smile.

Most importantly, the Sowers Garden Club has become a place where students feel connected to nature, to their school, and to each other. It’s a program that nurtures curiosity, collaboration, and care, quietly planting seeds of wellness, sustainability, and lifelong learning across the Sowers community.