A Peek Inside Wilton High School's Organic Garden

Wilton High School science teacher, Jim Hunter and Brian Reynolds, Chartwells Director of Dining Services for Wilton Public Schools recently gave Patch a tour of the school's organic garden, which sits adjacent to the school's greenhouse.

Hunter, who teaches AP Environmental Science and Biology, said that Reynolds one of the first people on board with the idea of an on-campus organic garden.

"I wanted to do this from the ground up, as opposed to putting in the garden and saying 'It will be used in these locations,'" Hunter said. "I wanted to see who was on board and get them involved in the very beginning."

Hunter said that before he approached the principal or the Board of Education he got key people like Reynolds involved. 

"To get in the cafeteria, I wanted to see if it was at all possible," said Hunter.

Reynolds said that to go through Chartwells, there was consideration of liability issues, but that hurdle was cleared early on.

Hunter said he also went to Planning & Zoning early on. "They said, 'No problem, go ahead.' I went to Board of Health, who said 'No problem, go ahead.' From there I went to Brian (Reynolds) and we sat down and sorted out potential liability issues with his company (Chartwells) in advance. By the time I brought it to the principal and the Board of Education, I had him on board. I had a farm on board. I had the town already on board." 

Hunter said that the garden structure and beds cost approximately  $32,000  to construct. The funding was made possible by a donation from the Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation, who were the primary funders, as well as funds from the Newman's Own Foundation.

The garden was constructed of solid white oak, which, according to Hunter is so heavy and robust that the company that built it, Teich Garden Systems, LLC, struggled a bit.

"Their guys had never built with white oak before. They were used to using other types of wood. About four hours into their first day they said 'It's really heavy. It takes two guys to move it. We've destroyed four drill bits already,'" Hunter said. "Cedar would have worked, but it's not nearly as dense as white oak."

Five years in, the wood has weathered to a pretty silver but it is holding up beautifully. In fact, Hunter remarked that the metal latches and brackets are starting to deteriorate , but not the wood.

Despite Patch's visit being timed for the third week of October, all sorts of fall produce were thriving. Lettuce, which Hunter said will grow all winter, kale, arugula, onions and peppers were some of the items in abundance.

Chartwells' Reynolds explained that he is a 52-week a year employee, and, as a subcontractor, during the summer he tends the garden. "I go out about an hour a day and check on the irrigation system, do some light weeding and harvesting."

"There are some Wilton high School alumni who have local restaurants who assist us by using our produce," Reynolds added.

"Around January or February I give him (Hunter) a list of items and that's when the planting is done in the greenhouse," said Reynolds. "It's great because the greenhouse extends the season on both ends." 

"They're giving us a good supply of garlic now," Reynolds said. "As well as kale, lettuces, and parsley. Earlier this fall there were a lot of tomatoes including plum tomatoes and mostly heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, three different kinds of peppers, green beans and herbs."  

Hunter said that in addition to his sciences classes, the photography students and special ed students make good use of the organic garden.

"There is also an unofficial club that meets here once or twice a week as well as throughout the sumer. It's mixed. It's girls and guys. We hope they get the Board of Ed's official recognition soon," said Hunter.

Look for part 2 of Patch's series on Wilton High School cafeteria food.