O Grows

Opelika Grows is a partnership of Opelika City Schools, Food Bank of East Alabama, Keep Opelika Beautiful, Inc. and Auburn University. Built upon the history of Alabama agriculture to sustain its citizens, Opelika Grows began in 2012. We install and provide programming for service-learning gardens as platforms to pursue life-long learning and to promote civic engagement with local challenges--including K-12 school reform, hunger relief and city beautification.
Ornamental and produce gardens serve as outdoor classrooms in our partner schools. Specific elements vary from site to site but Opelika Grows school programming adheres to Alabama State Department of Education standards for science. To date, Southview Primary, Northside Intermediate and Opelika Middle Schools host weekly programming. We are also actively planning with West Forest Intermediate, Morris Avenue Intermediate and the Opelika Learning Center to install gardens and design programming. Installation is set to begin summer 2014. The year’s activity will also culminate in the publication of City Grows, a resource for Alabama school leaders, teachers, students, and community members who want to know how to establish gardens for intellectual and community enrichment
The Community Garden at the Cultural Arts Center recently opened and provides dedicated space for the Kid’s Garden. The remaining space is available for leasing by all residents of Lee County on a first come, first serve basis. Opelika Grows members plant non-leased space and produce yields are donated to the Community Market. Garden days are held mid-monthly where Opelika Grows members hold gardening workshops for adults and children open to the public.
We identify our gardens as “service-learning gardens” in that participants serve the needs of one aspect of the community while practicing the knowledge and skills each brings to bear. Attendees of instructional activities learn garden related content and civic engagement in efforts that address hunger relief and city beautification. Instructors of garden programming serve the needs of participants for quality instruction while providing themselves the opportunity to practice their profession.