Perfect excuse to 'get hands dirty' at Henry Hudson Elementary harvest party

It's about as hands-on as learning can get.

Students at Henry Hudson Elementary School were given a free pass to get their hands dirty andharvest thefruits of their labour,after planting and tending to their school gardens overthe last year.

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The program organized by thenon-profit organization, the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC), teaches elementary and high school students about gardening, composting and healthy eating.

"A lot of times, we forget where our food comes from and how to grow it," saidNikoo Boroumand, the school garden's program coordinator with SPEC.

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After the students harvest thevegetables, they will wash them and then prepare lunch for the entire school.

"This gets them excited about eating vegetables, because if they're planting it, they get excited to eat it," Boroumand said.

The year-long program is funded through donations and is growing in popularity.

"We are at 12 schools and we are at capacity," said Boroumand.

For the students, the fun is all in seeing their hard work come to fruition.

"It was really fun getting our hands in there and getting all the potatoes," said Ella Majkic, who is in Grade 5.

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