Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District
Mobile Garden Classroom
The idea for a Mobile Garden Classroom for Morgan County was conceived at a round table discussion between Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District, Martinsville Parks and Recreations, Greg Marlett – Owner of Hard Way Farms and Morgan County Farmers Market. In early 2015, while lamenting both the lack of gardens at local schools and the labor, time, and finances to create and maintain such gardens, the idea was jokingly made that someone should have a garden on a trailer that could simply be towed to wherever it was needed.
Rising to the challenge, Marlett offered to build a prototype from spare parts and materials that he could salvage. If it worked, it would provide experience and ideas for an expanded project later. If it failed, nothing was lost. A few weeks later, a frame was built and painted, tires purchased, and the deck was built to withstand both weight and moisture. A raised 4’ square growing bed was centered over the axle to evenly distribute the weight, lined with geotextile cloth, and then filled with 2” of lightweight haydite stone for drainage and topped with 5” of potting soil mixed with 2” of composted horse manure. A small tool shed was built on the front of the trailer to give the feeling of a small backyard plot, but then became a place to store both tools and educational supplies that would accompany the garden. Once the shed was added, it only made sense to put on gutters and a rain barrel! A rain gauge added to the back of the garden bed helped to not only monitor watering of the garden, but also allows students the chance to work with simple math equations and record-keeping.
By the end of 2015, through the education efforts of Morgan County SWCD nearly 1,000 Morgan County children had seen the garden, even taking part in planting new plants as older plants were retired from production. The Mobile Garden Classroom continues to be a popular attraction at both Middle and Elementary schools in Morgan County, as well as at the Morgan County Farmers Market and Martinsville City Parks. It was a highlighted exhibit at the Community Foundation of Morgan County Farmer’s Breakfast and at the Morgan County Fair.
In early 2016, Morgan County SWCD awarded Greg Marlett their coveted “Dee Terrell Environmental Educator Award”. Marlett has now joined the SWCD staff as an Environmental Educator where he continues to take the Mobile Garden Classroom to multiple schools and community events throughout the growing season. New additions and upgrades are planned, including an aquaponics display and beehive, and even an integrated chicken coop!
Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to host the first-ever traveling garden venue for the residents of Morgan County.