The Garden Legacy Grows at Messalonskee Middle School
The Messalonskee Middle School Garden Club is back in action! Mrs. Ripa’s new seventh graders recently harvested a vibrant array of produce, discovering tomatoes, potatoes, sunflowers, jalapeños, corn, broccoli, beets, black beans, yellow beans, and lima beans. This year’s garden was especially meaningful, as last year’s eighth graders designed a purple-themed garden to highlight the powerful nutrients found in colorful plants—and purple it certainly was!
Mrs. Ripa proudly showcased the garden’s bounty at the Farmington Fair, where her display featuring purple vegetables, student artwork, and other creative items earned second place. To celebrate their Seedfolks and Earth Systems science unit, students also enjoyed a delicious meal made with the garden’s potatoes—fiesta bowls!
The Garden Club and Mrs. Ripa’s classes have been equally busy tending to the Tower Gardens and planting in the MMS Atrium. Currently, pumpkins, basil, tomatoes, peppers, wheat, and more are thriving—many grown from a “Grow Your Own Pizza” kit provided by Good Grains/The Good Crust. Looking ahead, the club hopes to take on an indoor brussels sprouts growing project this winter.
Adding to the excitement, MMS recently welcomed back Garden Club alumni from Messalonskee High School, who stopped by to see the fruits of their earlier efforts and taste the purple tomato salsa made by this year’s members.
The garden legacy continues to flourish at Messalonskee Middle School—rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and a love of growing together! #WeAreRSU18
