Garden to Market program grows in Hurley

HURLEY - Students at the Hurley K-12 School are getting their hands dirty while planting, growing and selling produce from the school garden at the Iron County Farmers Market.

Every Wednesday, students sell their own produce at the market with the "Garden to Market" program under the guidance of the Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension office.

According to Joy Schelble, Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program coordinator in Iron County, it is the second year students have participated in the program, with more kids participating this year.

"So far, it's been really, really great," Schelble said. "Although the garden season is a little slow, we've been able to grow and sell at the market since the first market took place."

This season, students have sold lettuce, herbs and garlic. Schelble said some zucchini has been coming in, and she expects to begin selling peas next week.

In addition to growing food, students have traveled to regional farms to learn more about agriculture. Students also weed and water the garden.

"We really rely on the kids for the maintenance of the garden," Schelble said. "We have a great group of kids, who are mostly middle school students. They do a great job."

The garden also provides another opportunity to teach nutrition education to another group of students.

"We do nutrition education in the garden with the STARS kids at the school, and they enjoy it," Schelble said. "We also talk to them about the opportunities in the Garden to Market program, so they may join in the future."

Once school starts, the garden will also provide food for the school lunch program and the mobile food pantry in the county.

"This program is a collaboration across all the programs at UW-Extension," Schelble said. "It's a really neat program, and I am so honored and pleased to be a part of it."

For more information on the Garden to Market program, call the Iron County UW-Extension office at 715-561-2695.