Students across Walker County are getting a hands-on lesson in sustainability thanks to a partnership between the county’s Solid Waste and Public Works departments and local schools.
Approximately 65 tons of excess mulch from the county landfill’s mulch program have been delivered to several schools to support agriculture education and campus gardening projects.
Students at Chattanooga Valley Middle School, Saddle Ridge Elementary and Middle School, and Rock Spring Elementary School will use the mulch in classroom projects and field exercises. The material will also be used in planters, garden beds, and greenhouses located on school campuses.
In addition to the schools, the county also donated mulch to Eden’s Harvest, a Walker County nonprofit that promotes regenerative agricultural education. The organization operates a demonstration farm that offers free classes teaching agricultural methods and techniques, ranging from small backyard gardens to operations as large as 200 acres.
All produce grown at Eden’s Harvest is donated to food banks and communities in need to help address shortages of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“The donated mulch will be used to support the planting and maintenance of approximately 600 fruit, nut, and berry trees and bushes,” said Paine Gily, director of solid waste and environmental management.
Agriculture continues to play a major role in the local economy. According to the latest University of Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, Walker County ranks 48th in the state for agricultural production, with 557 farms producing more than $119 million in poultry, livestock, and crops such as corn, cotton, hay, and soybeans.