On October 11, 2023, Stewart Elementary School Little Vikes Vegetable Garden won a garden stake recognition award from the Cincinnati Horticultural Society. This award is given to residential, commercial, and community gardens whose contributions to horticulture are an inspiration to all who see them. Gardens are selected and judged based on exceptional beauty, the selection of plants, and the execution of their design and uniqueness.
The ceremony took place at the Kenwood Country Club, 6503 Kenwood Rd., at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, October 11th. Mr Joe Clear accepted the award on behalf of the garden.
The garden was started in 2010 by Mr. Clear and is supported by a group of volunteers. Every classroom Pre-K through 4 receives garden instruction designed to supplement their in-class curriculum every week, late August through October and March through May.
Two plantings and harvests take place each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Each planting season, the children will plant, grow, and taste cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, radish, kale, onions, and carrots. In the summer, potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes are added. An herb garden provides additional tasting opportunities. During the summer, when school is not in session, food is harvested and distributed to needy families. This summer, over 800 pounds of vegetables were donated.
In addition to the vegetable gardens, the school has 6 outdoor classrooms, 2 forested walking trails, and a pollinator garden. The garden hosts an annual fun run, where every family takes home plants to put in their own garden. The garden also participates in the school's STEM night, where every student plants a seed in a container to take home.