The Latest Dirt - May 2024

Pam Austin and the School Gardens

by David George

UC Master Gardener Pam Austin has been working and driving overtime as lead for the School Gardens project since the departure last year of Co-Lead Kate Verhoef from the Contra Costa program. Living in El Cerrito, Pam has held down the fort for all school garden opportunities, from Richmond in the west to San Ramon in the south and Oakley in the far east of the county. I spoke with Pam the other day about the challenges and opportunities in our School Gardens project and its future needs (Hint: Volunteers!)

What education and professional background did you bring into the program, Pam?

I grew up in Michigan and graduated from East Michigan University with a BS degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. I went on to become a Social Worker for several years. When my husband and I relocated to the Bay Area to practice law, I joined the banking industry and worked for banks until my retirement in 2016. Because I was an avid gardener, I applied to become a UC Master Gardener and was certified with the Class of 2019, conveniently held that year in Richmond.”

What roles have you tried these first five years?

“I jumped right into the School Gardens project as Co-Lead in 2019, where I’ve volunteered most of my hours. However, I also worked on the Community Gardens project, which has many similarities, advising the Hana Gardens in El Cerrito and Parchester Community Center in Richmond. Of course, we all participate in the yearly Great Tomato Plant Sale. For a while, I gave talks about plant biology and native edible plants for the Speakers Bureau.”

That sounds like broad exposure! What have been the most enjoyable aspects of your School Gardens work specifically?

“I love to get outdoors and meet parents, teachers, and occasional kids that waft through. They are so enthusiastic about their gardens and love to show me around. Of course, they ask many questions during our time together. I share research-based gardening advice and possible alternatives to accomplishing their goals.”

Laura Gunderson, a Parent and School Garden Specialist at Burton Valley School in Lafayette, said, “Students (pretend like they) are engineers and scientists, excavating rocks looking for fossils, developing waterways to manage runoff, building nature games and creating peaceful places to quietly observe nature.”

Pam added, “There are a variety of school gardens, mostly differing by how much they can afford. It’s tough for schools in underserved communities to find enough resources to develop a teaching and learning garden for their students fully. One of my favorites is the Los Medanos Community College Child Study Center Garden in Pittsburg, built by parents and volunteers for the faculty, staff, and student-parent daycare kids.”

What is your biggest challenge in School Gardens now?

“Volunteers! (she laughs). The situation in School Gardens is pressing. You, David, recently volunteered to Co-Lead Central County school gardens, but we still need someone to Co-Lead East County schools. It would help if the more active schools had a dedicated UC Master Gardener contact to answer questions and schedule subject matter experts as needed. School gardens are active again now that the pandemic is over. There is a need for CoCoMGs to cover a Cub or Boy Scout Gardening merit badge meeting or speak about kids in the garden at a Rotary Club meeting. We could do so much more in the program with more volunteers.”

What are you looking for in a School Gardens volunteer?

“It would be great if the volunteer had teaching or local school district experience, but that is not a requirement. UC Master Gardeners already possess skills for School Gardens: time and energy, leadership ability, gardening skills, and good communication and follow-through habits. It would help, too, if volunteers didn’t mind picking up the phone or sending emails to parents and staff on occasion. Those people are as busy as we are, so it helps to remind them that we’re here as a resource.”

What are some of the misperceptions about School Gardens that you’ve experienced?

“Yes. The first misperception is that our volunteers will work and communicate with kids. Although kids add sparkle to any visit, our CoCoMGs advise and interact with volunteer parents, teachers, and occasional administrators. Also, potential volunteers think they don’t have the right skills for schools, but they do. It’s often just being there, answering simple questions that any Ask A Master Gardener table would hear, and arranging for skilled specialists from our program if in-depth advice is needed. None of us has all answers on the tip of our tongue. We offer to research a topic, point them to UCANR websites, or direct them to our Help Desk, just like AAMG.”

What plans do you have for the School Gardens project in the future?

“We do have a budget, you know. I hope we return to providing school garden staff with giveaways for fun visits. Possible giveaways include soil testing kits, magnifying loupes, and tool buckets like the Community Gardens staff provide. If we had enough volunteers, we could expand to more meaningful gifts, such as bags of garden soil, gloves, watering cans, cover crop seeds, shovels, and other essential tools. The disadvantaged neighborhood schools would especially benefit from these contributions to their success. And each year, this time, we offer free seedlings to school gardens from our remaining GTPS surplus. They are gratefully accepted.”

“Somebody can arrange a fun get-together this September, the beginning of a new School Gardens year. Maybe at your house, David! (she laughs again). In my dreams, new volunteers will fill the room with ideas and energy to contribute to our important School Garden efforts.”

Laura Gunderson said about the CoCoMG School Gardens assistance she has received, “Being responsible for so many living things is a huge and overwhelming undertaking. I’m grateful to the UC Master Gardener program for providing expertise and much-needed support.”

Thanks, Pam and Laura, for your perspectives on the current needs of the School Gardens project. We all hope new UC Master Gardener volunteers will knock on the school doors soon!