The Columbia Peace and Hope Garden was started in 2003 through a collaborative effort by The Peace Center, Habitat for Humanity's Hope Square community and Columbia Elementary School. The garden is a resource for both Columbia Elementary School and the surrounding JeffVanderLou neighborhood. The garden provides a safe green space, access to fresh produce, and an educational resource.

School Gardening
Now that fall is here, Columbia students have a number of opportunities to plant and harvest produce in the garden that they later eat. This experience allows students to learn about how plants grow, where food comes from, and that nutritious vegetables can actually taste good! This past year students also had the opportunity to cook and prepare the vegetables they grew in a number of different ways, connecting their gardening experience more directly with lunch!

Community Gardening
Over summer vacation, the garden was put to good use by community gardeners who grew an assortment of produce. The school beds that weren't in use were used to grow food that is still being sold at the North City Farmers' Market. Selling at the Market helps us raise money that will go towards the school gardening program!