School Gardens

The Okanogan County School Garden Network, housed under the Okanogan Conservation District, was created in partnership with Classroom in Bloom in 2019. We support local school gardens by hosting monthly meetings to offer support, foster collaboration, and create a space for garden leads to connect and share ideas. Our network includes educators, community members, and local organizations working together to connect youth with food, nature, and stewardship.

Interested in joining the garden network, volunteering, or donating?
Reach out to emily@okanogancd.org

Local School Gardens (8)

Today, the Network supports eight school gardens
across the county - marked as blue dots on the map.

Brewster School Garden, Bumblebee Haven,
Classroom in Bloom, East Omak Elementary School,
North Omak Elementary School, Oroville School Garden, Paschal Sherman Indian School,and Tonasket School Garden.

Curious about each school's garden?
Learn more about their stories below!

Local Gardens (8)

Today, the Network supports eight school gardens
across the county - marked as blue dots on the map.

Brewster School Garden, Bumblebee Haven,
Classroom in Bloom, East Omak Elementary School,
North Omak Elementary School, Oroville School Garden, Paschal Sherman Indian School, and Tonasket School Garden.

Curious about each school's garden?
Explore more about their stories below!

Also, see teacher trainings and curriculum!

Brewster School Garden

The Brewster School Garden is managed by Karol Miller and her daughter Markie Miller, who both teach full time at Brewster Elementary. Students regularly visit the garden for lessons and often visit the garden during recess as well! The garden includes ten raised “cherry box” beds and as of the 2024-25 school year, a brand-new greenhouse has been added. During the summer months you’ll often see high school interns out in the garden, helping to care for crops and keep the garden thriving.

Bumblebee Haven - Okanogan

Established in 2016, Bumblebee Haven in located in Okanogan behind the softball fields at Virginia Grainger Elementary. This garden serves dual roles – a learning space for for elementary students and a service project for the high school Key Club. Produce is enjoyed by students at the elementary school or donated to the Okanogan Food Bank through the efforts of high schoolers. This garden is managed by a group of teachers, including Shonta Woods, Jill Streeter, and Dennis O’Connor.

Classroom in Bloom - Twisp

Founded in 2004, Classroom in Bloom is a nonprofit organization located on the Methow Valley School District campus in Winthrop. It serves K-12 students and plays a vital role in both education and food access. Under leadership of Executive Director, Kim Romain-Bondi, Classroom in Bloom provides fresh produce to the school cafeteria, leads weekly garden-based classes for elementary students, and hosts a summer camp for students. The team also develops K-12 garden curriculum, shared with educators through annual teacher trainings. For more information - www.classroominbloom.org

East Omak Elementary School

At East Omak Elementary, the garden is cared for by Mrs. Tiarha and
Mr. Dean Agee, who both teach full-time at East Omak. Students regularly visit the garden during the school day- including those from Mrs. Agee's own 4th grade class – for hands on learning. As of the 2023-24 school year, the Agees also lead a weekly afterschool garden club for students. Students spend time outdoors caring for plants, improving garden
spaces, and occasionally creating art!

North Omak Elementary School

The North Omak Elementary School Garden is tended by 1st grade teacher Emily Gurnard. Students are currently exploring the traditional planting of the Three Sisters – corn, beans, and squash, and caring for these crops as they grow! Each grade level plays a unique role in the growing process. While students in kindergarten may be starting seeds, students in 1st grade will be able to transplant them outside when the
time comes. A favorite crop of this garden is pumpkins!

Oroville School Garden

Located across from the high school campus, the Oroville Garden features a large greenhouse equipped with both hydroponic and aquaponic systems along with an outdoor space for garden beds.
The garden primarily produces lettuce, which is sold to the school cafeteria and local grocery stores – connecting students directly with their community through food. High school students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes manage much of the day-to-day work, under the guidance of CTE teacher Ali Covey.

Paschal Sherman
Indian School

The Outdoor Classroom at Paschal Sherman Indian School was created and is led by Outdoor Education Teacher, Valerie Mason.
This vibrant space includes a gazebo with seating, offering students
a place to study, collaborate, and connect with the outdoors.
The Outdoor Classroom also features a Native Medicine Garden, where students explore the health benefits that come with a better understanding of growing one's own food & medicine.

Tonasket School Garden

The Tonasket School Garden is led by Ton Rietveld, the School Garden Coordinator, and supported by the Tonasket School Garden Board. Volunteers Lael Duncan and Bob Raymer regularly help with garden care. Students from every grade in the Tonasket School District – including the Tonasket Choice High School – participate in garden learning throughout the year under Ton’s guidance.
The site includes a large greenhouse, a hoop house, compost pile, two teaching areas, and numerous garden beds and rows.
Choice High School teacher Chelsea Freeman also maintains bee hives on site with help from her students. Together, Ton and Chelsea offer fresh greens and honey for sale, sharing the garden’s abundance with community members.

Local School Gardens (8)

Today, the Network supports eight school gardens
across the county - marked as blue dots on the map.

Brewster School Garden, Bumblebee Haven,
Classroom in Bloom, East Omak Elementary School,
North Omak Elementary School, Oroville School Garden, Paschal Sherman Indian School,and Tonasket School Garden.

Curious about each school's garden?
Learn more about their stories below!

Teacher Trainings & Curriculum

Did you know partner with Classroom in Bloom to host annual teacher trainings?

These trainings encourage educators to bring their students outdoors and explore school gardens.
Each session typically lasts 4-5 hours and includes lunch. Teachers can enroll through PD Enroller once the link is live. Trainings usually qualify for 5 STEAM clock hours through our Education Service District (ESD).

Designed for K-6 teachers, Classroom in Bloom develops garden-centered curriculum that participants can bring
back to their schools to lead lessons independently. Trainings always provide curriculum guides to take back to
schools and often include some of the materials needed to lead select lessons.