Agriculture/Gardening Program

Our garden, here at Gila Crossing Community School is not just a place to grow food. Taking care of a garden is one of the most important ways that the students can become a part of the great circle of life. Every time we plant a seed, add compost to the soil, water a seedling, pull a weed, talk or sing gently to the plants or say "thank you" for the blooming plants, we are giving a gift. In turn we receive knowledge, peace of mind, food for our bodies, a growing spirit of giving and a sense of having full life.

At our school site we have named our garden Ve chij O'otham ees, "Young people planting". Ve chij O'otham ees is a project that supports and promotes agricultural education within the Gila Crossing Community School. This program identifies the fact that gardening is an important and historical way of life with the Akimel' O'otham and Pee Posh people. In addition, this project encompasses the belief in the circle of life. The demands from the project will entertain discipline, reinforcement of basic methodologies for plant growth and provide learning opportunities to those students involved.

The garden is incorporated into our school wide whole language curriculum. Whole language is nothing short of a grassroots revolution in education. It brings together scientific study of learning, of language, of teaching, and of curriculum with the positive, people-centered, historical traditions that are essential to the cultural aspect of our school.

There exists many purposes for the program. They are as follows:

• The introduction of traditional and historical farming techniques from the Gila River area.
  To present farmers as local heroes in the community and family.
  To introduce and explore traditional Akimel O'otham foods.
  To present the concept of the three sisters (Beans, squash, and corn).
  To introduce and understand organic versus inorganic farming concepts.
  To introduce the usage of the gardening as a stress reliever and life style.
  To provide life experiences for farming and related business and economic development.
  To provide for ecological and environmental studies.
  To introduce basic foundation for the usage of tools and machines typically found in farming
  To instill ownership and pride in accomplishing a harvest.
  To provide an environment for health and nutrition based on naturally grown fruits and vegetables.
  To introduce other arid area's growing techniques as alternatives and variations.
  To introduce art forms cohesive with desert landscaping and environmental art.
  To instill discipline and reinforcement for motivation and drive toward an eventual goal.

The Board of Trustees of our school wishes to extend their gratitude and thanks to the Gila River Indian Community, the Land Use and Planning Department and especially to Mr.. Robert Sotomayor and Late. Mr.. Nathan Allen. These two individuals have been the guiding force in bringing a philosophy, belief and a plan into being. The Vechij O' Otham Ees (Young People's Planting ) program began as an idea of the leadership of the school. Through the dedicated instruction, practical training and patience of these two tribal employees, it came to life. The necessary education of students from the Gila River Indian Community in agriculture and life skills starts as a birthright to our people. The technical information and "hands on" assistance have allowed our students the opportunity to become a part of the bigger circle of life and to nurture health, agriculture, discipline and nutrition into their lives and the community.

Our Gardening Program has won many awards from the Tribe as well as from the Outside organizations. Also our garden has been featured on many local and national level Television shows.