Sharon Siehl, Director of Recipe Gardens & Agricultural Outreach
Sharon Siehl graduated cum Laude from Beloit College with a Bachelor of English Literature and French, and is an alumni of AmeriCorp's VISTA Program. She followed her passion for sustainable development and experiential learning to Cholet, France where she first learned organic agriculture from the ground up, then to Apex Learning and View Orchards in Seattle where she managed operations, curriculum development, classes and community outreach for the 12,000 sq. ft. school-based community garden. Siehl is now responsible for the design/build, management and program oversight of five Recipe Gardens on elementary campuses, including two that are over 1 acre in size, and curriculum development for all RFS gardening programs. Using all organic methods, she designs RfS lesson plans for regular monthly classes in all grade levels, as well as Summer Camp and After School programs, and she maintains a robust teaching schedule. She is authoring the Recipe Garden section for the RfS Program Guide.
"It's been amazing to watch how the children and Recipe Gardens have grown in the three years that I've worked for RFS," she says, "Now, the students know what to do when they come outside. They know how to plant, compost, use tools safely, and are excited to look for insects and how their plants have grown or changed. Most of all, they are excited to EAT! The students are so much more adventuresome in trying new fruits and vegetables. The Recipe Gardens are truly becoming woven into the culture of the schools and childrens' lives."
Sharon Siehl graduated cum Laude from Beloit College with a Bachelor of English Literature and French, and is an alumni of AmeriCorp's VISTA Program. She followed her passion for sustainable development and experiential learning to Cholet, France where she first learned organic agriculture from the ground up, then to Apex Learning and View Orchards in Seattle where she managed operations, curriculum development, classes and community outreach for the 12,000 sq. ft. school-based community garden. Siehl is now responsible for the design/build, management and program oversight of five Recipe Gardens on elementary campuses, including two that are over 1 acre in size, and curriculum development for all RFS gardening programs. Using all organic methods, she designs RfS lesson plans for regular monthly classes in all grade levels, as well as Summer Camp and After School programs, and she maintains a robust teaching schedule. She is authoring the Recipe Garden section for the RfS Program Guide."It's been amazing to watch how the children and Recipe Gardens have grown in the three years that I've worked for RFS," she says, "Now, the students know what to do when they come outside. They know how to plant, compost, use tools safely, and are excited to look for insects and how their plants have grown or changed. Most of all, they are excited to EAT! The students are so much more adventuresome in trying new fruits and vegetables. The Recipe Gardens are truly becoming woven into the culture of the schools and childrens' lives."
