Newark Students Celebrate Harvest Festivals with Hands-On Learning

This October, students across Newark are actively participating in a series of harvest festivals that highlight the importance of farm-to-school learning. More than 2,000 students, ranging from preschoolers to eighth graders, are engaging with their school gardens through hands-on activities organized by the Greater Newark Conservancy in celebration of National Farm to School Month.

The Conservancy’s FoodCorps educators are transforming outdoor learning spaces into vibrant environments where students can explore the joys of growing their own food. According to Patrick Evans, Education Program Manager at the Greater Newark Conservancy, “School gardens are powerful spaces for learning. Students don’t just grow vegetables—they grow curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.”

Engaging Educational Experiences

Each harvest festival offers a blend of fun and educational activities. At various activity stations, students trace the life cycle of a pumpkin, participate in sensory scavenger hunts, and embark on mindfulness walks. They craft personalized bookmarks and learn about local wildlife through animal pelts and engaging facts. A standout attraction is the Jersey apple tasting, where students describe the flavor and texture of the fruit with vivid vocabulary.

“Seeing students’ faces light up as they plant seeds, explore the garden, and taste fresh apples reminds us all why hands-on learning is so powerful,” said Lovely-Abena Phillips, a FoodCorps educator based at Link Community Charter School.

The fall festivals mark the culmination of a year of learning tied to the Conservancy’s Farm to School program. This initiative connects classroom lessons to real-world experiences in the garden. Students grow crops from seed to harvest, delve into local food systems, and discover the intersections of science, nutrition, and the environment.

At Thirteenth Avenue School, the annual event has become a cherished tradition. “Our students are thrilled for the upcoming Fall Festival,” stated Sue Rexford, a STEM teacher at the school. “We’re so thankful to have the Conservancy and FoodCorps here each year. The festival connects kids to the garden space, the season, good food, and fun activities—and it gives teachers a chance to extend the curriculum in creative, hands-on ways.”

Long-Term Impact on Learning

Educators emphasize that the impact of these garden festivals extends well beyond a single day. “The garden festivals are an incredible extension of what we teach in the classroom,” said Gina Molinari-Schiano, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Link Community Charter School. “Students get to see science, nutrition, and creativity come to life right outside our doors. It’s inspiring to watch them engage with the world around them in such a meaningful way.”

The schedule for this year’s harvest festivals spans throughout October, encompassing several schools:

– McKinley School – October 3 | 550 students (PreK–4th)
– Mt. Vernon School – October 14 | 275 students (2nd–4th)
– Avon School – October 15 | 250 students (K–4)
– Link Community Charter School – October 17 | 250 students (K–4)
– Thirteenth Avenue School – October 29 | 225 students (1st–3rd)
– Lincoln School – October 30 | 450 students (PreK–8th)
– Harriet Tubman School – October 31 | 125 students (PreK–4th)

Now in its 38th year, the Greater Newark Conservancy remains a pivotal force in urban agriculture, environmental education, and community wellness. What began as a modest community gardening effort in 1987 has evolved into a citywide movement, transforming vacant lots into thriving green spaces, educating thousands of students, and providing fresh produce to Newark neighborhoods through farmers markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and mobile farm stands.