Students at Greenville Elementary School are growing more than just knowledge this fall.

Four third grade classes at GES have had an opportunity to learn about farming by growing collard greens in a garden right on the school grounds.

Back in August, Principal Jai Hill said Harold McLemore, an Alabama State Department of Education representative, approached him asking if he could grow a garden.

“The project got started three weeks after the initial contact,” Hill said. “All supplies and equipment were supplied by Mr. McLemore and Mid-South RC&D. The materials and supplies included plastic, hoses, immature collard green plants, pesticides, sprayers, fertilizers and drip tape.”

The class teachers included Amisha Abadani, Cody Elliot, Elizabeth Tindal and Teresa Orcutt.

“The kids planted, picked, harvested and next week, will cook [the collard greens] in the cafeteria and actually eat it for lunch,” Tindal said. “They get to learn about the process of where food comes from.”

The plants were harvested Tuesday and the W.O. Parmer Elementary School cafeteria staff will prepare the collard greens.

“We plan on feeding the collard greens to all of the students at GES,” Hill said. “We have really enjoyed this program and hope to do this again next year.”